...  <>i  *«  ^^''hmt  ^..., 


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PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


\ 


Presented  by  Mr.  Samuel  Agnew  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


AgJiczv  Coll.  on  Baptism,  No. 


VIRGINIA 


BAPTIST  MINISTERS. 


BY 


JAMES    B.  ^TAYLOR. 


BY    REV.    J.    B.    JETER,    D.  D. 


I3S"     TWO     SKIirES. 


SERIES  I. 


NEW    YORK: 
SHELDON  &  COMPANY. 

115    NASSAU    STREET. 
1860. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1859,  by 

JAMES    B.    TAYLOR, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Eastern  Distrjdt  of  Virginia. 


/ 


PRINTED  BY 

LIPPINCOTT    &    CO., 

PHILABEIPHIA- 


>.^^^ 

^^.^m,. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION  .,^v,' 


In  the  work  of  human  redemption,  the  divine  Being  has  given  a  sub- 
limely glorious  exhibition  of  his  perfections.  This  display  is  made  not 
only  in  the  person  and  work  of  Christ,  but  by  the  Spirit's  influence  on 
the  hearts  and  lives  of  men.  Hence,  the  biography  of  the  eminently 
pious  may  well  be  regarded  with  deep  and  lively  interest.  In  every 
transgressor,  converted  from  the  error  of  his  way,  we  behold  a  monu- 
ment on  which  is  inscribed  the  triumph  of  the  gospel.  Especially  is 
this  true  in  reference  to  those  who,  with  becoming  zeal,  labor  as  the 
heralds  of  the  cross.  Not  only  will  they  shine  as  "  the  stars  in  the 
firmament"  in  a  future  state,  but  even  in  this  world  they  reflect,  with 
no  common  lustre,  the  glory  of  their  divine  Eedeemer. 

The  author  of  the  following  pages  has  long  believed  that  an  essential 
service  might  be  rendered  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness,  by 
preparing  a  judicious  biography  of  prominent  Yirginia  Baptist  Ministers. 
To  some  extent,  this  work  was  executed  by  the  venerated  Semple,  in 
an  appendix  to  his  History  of  Virginia  Baptists.  The  publication  of 
those  sketches  sufficiently  indicated  the  utility  of  embracing  in  a  sepa- 
rate volume  a  brief  survey  of  the  lives  and  labors  of  all  those  eminent 
Virginia  Baptist  preachers  who  have  gone  to  their  reward. 

This  work  has  been  undertaken  by  the  author  with  the  earnest  hope 
that  some  good  might  be  efiected.  He  has  presented  a  collection  of 
portraits,  and,  so  far  as  opportunity  has  been  furnished,  he  has  faithfully 
sketched  the  intellectual  and  moral  features  of  his  brethren  now  no 
more.  If,  in  any  instance,  he  has  failed,  the  failure  has  been  uninten- 
tional. He  has  not  wished  to  magnify  or  conceal  defects,  neither  has  he 
been  willing  to  give  a  flattering  exhibition  of  beauties  which  the  original 
really  possessed. 

(iii) 


iv  PREFACE. 

Some  allowance  must  be  made  to  the  biographer,  on  account  of  the 
scanty  materials  from  which  a  portion  of  this  work  has  been  executed. 
From  various  sources  he  has  sought  information ;  and,  while  he  ac- 
knowledges with  gratitude  the  valuable  assistance  furnished  by  several 
brethren,  he  regrets  that,  in  many  inquiries,  he  has  been  entirely  disap 
pointed.  On  this  account,  he  has  been  reluctantly  compelled  to  leave 
out  of  these  sketches  the  names  of  several  whose  memory  ought  to  be 
dear  to  all  our  churches.  Some  of  Virginia's  most  able  and  useful 
Baptist  ministers  might  be  mentioned,  whose  character  it  would  have 
been  a  grateful  task  to  hold  up  for  the  imitation  of  others. 

In  giving  the  biographies  of  nearly  -one  hundred  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  an  opportunity  has  been  furnished  of  making  practical  observa- 
tions, both  on  the  beauties  and  defects  of  which  the  Christian  character 
is  susceptible.  This  duty  the  author  has  not  been  willing  to  decline.  He 
commits  the  work,  as  it  is,  to  his  brethren ;  and  if  the  God  of  all  grace 
shall  make  it  a  blessing  to  his  fellow-men,  the  warmest  wish  of  his  heart 
will  be  gratified. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 


In  presenting  the  second  edition  of  this  work  to  the  public,  the  author 
is  happy  to  say  that  he  has  been  able  to  furnish  nearly  forty  additional 
memoirs  of  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers.  There  are  still  other  brethren, 
who  have  ceased  from  their  labors,  concerning  whom  nothing  has  been 
said  in  this  volume,  because  the  needed  information  could  not  be  ob- 
tained. As  the  memoir  of  Lott  Gary  has  been  published  in  a  separate 
edition,  it  is  omitted  in  this ;  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  sketch  of 
Abner  W.  Glopton. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  THIRD  EDITION. 


For  some  time  past  this  work  lias  been  out  of  print,  and  the  demand 
such,  as  to  call  for  another  edition.  The  present  volumes  or  series  con- 
tain an  enlargement  of  the  old  sketches.  Some  of  these  have  been  re- 
written, and  all  carefully  revised.  In  addition,  one  hundred  or  more 
sketches  have  been  prepared  of  those  devoted  men  who  more  recently 
have  passed  to  their  reward.  An  earnest  endeavor  has  been  made  to  do 
ample  justice  to  the  memory  of  all.  If  any  failure  is  found,  it  must  be 
attributed  to  the  want  of  definite  information.  Few  can  understand  how 
difficult  it  has  been  to  secure  the  necessary  facts  bearing  on  the  history 
of  some  of  our  most  valuable  men.  At  some  expense,  and  by  patient 
toil,  the  author  has  been  enabled  to  collect  a  mass  of  facts,  which  he 
believes  will  be  of  real  and  permanent  value  to  the  cause  of  truth. 

This  work  now  appears  in  two  distinct  volumes  or  series.  The  first 
contains  most  of  the  sketches  heretofore  published,  in  an  improved 
form.  The  new  sketches  are  contained  in  the  second  series.  It  has 
been  deemed  wise  to  publish  these  sketches  in  two  series,  so  as  to  make 
each  volume  complete  in  itself.  Many  having  supplied  themselves  with 
the  old  edition,  will  prefer  to  take  only  the  second  series  ;  while  perhaps 
much  the  larger  number  will  desire  both  volumes. 

The  author  has  found  the  preparation  of  this  work  a  truly  pleasant 
task.  His  conviction  of  the  soundness  of  our  principles  as  a  people 
has  been  increased  as  he  has  seen  them  working,  by  these  noble  instru- 
ments whom  God  has  raised  up.  He  has  also  found  more  deeply 
impressed  upon  his  heart  a  grateful  sense  of  the  Divine  power  and 
mercy  in  our  behalf.  Not  only  has  the  Baptist  ministry  of  Virginia 
made  its  mark  upon  the  State  in  which  it  has  so  willingly  labored,  but 
in  various  other  portions  of  our  beloved  country.  The  names  of  Toier, 
Shackleford,  Hickman.  Craig,  Smith,  and  Thomas,  are  as  dear  to 
Kentucky  as  to  the  State  that  gave  them  birth.  While  the  hills 
and  vales  of  the  Old  Dominion,  a  century  ago,  resounded  with  the 
uplifted  cry  of  Marshall,  Taylor,  and  others,  as  they  proclaimed  the 
salvation  of  the  Lord,  distant  regions  were  afterwards  entered  by  them, 
and  the  same  joyful  announcements  made.  Where  is  the  State,  South 
or  West,  that  has  not  been  made  a  debtor  to  the  ministry  of  Virginia  ? 
In  every  place  their  "  faith  toward  God  is  made  known  :"  the  memorial 
of  their  deeds  is  recorded. 

1*  (v) 


INTEODUCTIOF^^'V^  \ 

'THE  EIGHTEOTJS  SHALL  BE  IN  EVERLASTING  EEMEMBEAlS^^^      Y/  f^ 


To  record  the  labors,  and  clierish  the  memories  of  good  men,  is  a 
sacred  and  delightful  duty.  To  insure  its  performance  God  has  made 
provision  in  the  sympathies  of  our  nature,  aad  by  the  teaching  of  his 
Spirit.  So  long  as  men  admire  the  self-sacrificing,  the  generous,  the  noble 
in  human  character,  will  the  righteous,  with  their  labors,  sufferings,  and 
successes,  be  kept  in  remembrance.  Abel,  by  his  "excellent  sacrifice," 
though  he  has  been  dead  thousands  of  years,  yet  speaks,  and  will  speak 
to  the  end  of  time.  Every  pious  man  makes  an  impression  for  good  on 
his  generation.  The  world  is  better  because  he  has  lived  in  it.  His 
humble  deeds  may  not  be  engraved  on  marble,  or  inscribed  on  the  his- 
toric page,  but  they  are  cherished  in  many  a  grateful  heart,  and  their 
benign  influence  will  be  felt  long  after  his  head  rests  in  the  tomb.  His 
abiding  record  is  on  high.  The  humblest  works  of  faith  and  love  have 
a  place  in  the  book  of  God's  remembrance,  and  will  meet  a  bright 
reward. 

Eev.  J.  B.  Taylor  has  performed  a  pious  and  most  acceptable  service 
in  his  efforts  to  rescue  from  oblivion  the  names,  the  virtues,  and  the 
works  of  the  worthies  who  laid  the  foundation  of  our  denominational 
prosperity  in  Virginia,  or  have  contributed  to  increase  it.  It  has  been 
with  him  a  labor  of  love,  extending  through  many  years,  and  involving 
considerable  expense  and  most  diligent  and  careful  research.  He  has, 
by  his  timely  and  well-directed  efforts,  laid  the  friends  of  evangelical 
piety,  and  especially  the  Baptists,  under  lasting  obligation. 

The  author  selected  for  his  cultivation  a  wide  and  interesting  field. 
The  early  Baptist  ministers  of  this  State  were  a  remarkable  set  of  men. 
They  were  raised  by  Providence  to  accomplish  a  great  work ;  were 
divinely  girded  for  the  severe  and  seemingly  unequal  conflict  into  which 
they  entered.  They  wer^,  with  rare  exceptions,  men  of  moderate  edu- 
cation, and  takea  from  the' medium  walks  of  life.  But  they  were  of 
earnest  piety,  many  of  them  endowed  with  good  gifts  for  public  speak- 
ing, and  some  of  them  eloquent  and  impressive  preachers,  who  would 
do  credit  to  any  pulpit  in  any  age.   It  is  questionable  whether  Lunsford 

vii 


viii  INTRODUCTION. 

has  now  liis  equal  in  tlie  State  for  commanding  eloquence.  No  preacher 
has  ever  had  greater  power  to  command  the  attention  and  interest  the 
feelings  of  an  audience  than  the  eccentric  Leland.  These  holy  men 
had  to  contend  with  a  hierarchy,  in  which  the  spirit  of  piety,  if  it  ever 
existed,  had  been  succeeded  by  the  spirit  of  bigotry  and  persecution. 
The  established  church  was  protected  by  intolerant  laws,  and  was 
generally  supported  by  the  wealth,  learning,  and  aristocracy  of  the 
colony.  The  clergy,  inflamed  by  a  desire  to  protect  their  stipends,  and 
the  rulers,  invested  with  authority,  combined  to  suppress  the  threaten- 
ing heresy.  Under  these  disadvantages  our  fathers  maintained  the 
combat.  They  preached  the  gospel  without  any  hope  of  earthly  re- 
ward. The  scorn  of  the  rich  and  great,  the  violence  of  mobs,  fines, 
and  imprisonment,  awaited  them  wherever  they  went;  but  still  they 
preached  in  private  houses,  in  barns,  in  groves,  and  in  prisons.  These 
men  deserve  the  commendation  of  mankind.  They  were  unfaltering 
friends  of  civil  and  religious  freedom.  They  were,  and  it  must  be  uni- 
versally admitted  by  candid  minds,  sound,  earnest  preachers  of  the 
gospel.  They  achieved  a  great  work.  Many  causes,  providentially, 
contributed  to  their  success.  The  aggressions  of  the  British  govern- 
ment had  awakened  the  spirit  of  inquiry  and  resistance  in  the  colony. 
The  public  mind  was  stirred,  and  it  was  impossible  to  limit  its  investi- 
gations to  secular  matters.  The  aspiration  after  liberty,  stimulated  in 
the  revolutionary  times  into  a  controlling  passion,  could  not  be  satisfied 
antn  the  rehgious  shackles  imposed  by  an  arrogant  hierarchy  were 
broken  off.  Favored  by  these  circumstances,  our  noble  ancestors  in 
the  ministry  continued  the  contest  until  the  last  vestige  of  the  esta- 
blished church  was  erased  from  the  statute-book,  religious  equality  was 
secured  for  all  the  citizens  and  sojourners  in  the  State,  and  broad  and 
solid  foundations  were  laid  for  the  prosperity  of  the  cause  which  they 
had  so  bravely  supported. 

But  the  fathers  have  passed  away,  and  the  fields  which  they  brought 
into  cultivation  are  being  reaped  by  new  men.  A  century  has  passed 
since  the  beginning  of  this  great  moral  revolution.  Several  intervening 
generations  have  been  swept  away  by  the  resistless  current  of  time. 
Great  changes  have  taken  place  in  the  Baptist  ministry  since  the  days 
of  the  "Apostle"  Harris,  and  of  the  indefatigable  Craigs.  If  the  limits 
assigned  to  this  introductory  essay  would  permit,  it  might  be  interesting 
to  compare  the  present  with  the  early  ministry  of  the  Baptist  denomi- 
nation in  this  State,  and  to  mark  the  changes  which  have  taken  place, 
and  the  various  influences  that  have  accelerated  or  retarded  them. 
The  reader  may  find  ample  materials  for  such  a  work  in  the  volumes 
before  him.    We  can  now  only  glance  at  the  subject.    The  ministers 


INTRODUCTION.  ix 

of  the  present  day  have  more  mental  cultivation  than  the  fathers  had ; 
but  whether  they  have  as  strong  faith  and  as  fervent  zeal  may  well  be 
questioned.  The  pioneer  preachers  were  fired  with  an  inextinguishable 
ardor  in  preaching  the  gospel.  They  traveled  extensively  at  their  own 
charges,  or  with  such  occasional  aid  as  was  furnished  them  by  their 
brethren.  They  inquired  not  for  salaries,  but  for  openings  of  useful- 
ness ;  and  though  they  erred  in  failing  to  inculcate  on  their  brethren 
the  duty  of  supporting  the  ministry,  their  error  proclaimed  their  disin- 
terestedness and  zeal.  Our  modern  preachers  know  more  of  books,  and 
adopt  sounder  principles  of  biblical  interpretration  than  did  our  early 
preachers  ;  but  probably  they  know  less  of  the  contents  of  the  Bible. 
The  fathers  were  men  of  one  book.  That  they  loved,  and  studied,  and 
committed  to  memory;  and  to  that  they  appealed  in  support  of  all  their 
teaching.  From  it  they  derived  their  inspiration ;  from  it  they  drew 
their  armor;  and  from  it  beamed  the  light  that  guided  them  in  their 
labors.  We  excel  our  fathers  in  combination,  in  liberal  plans  for  the 
extension  of  Christ's  kingdom ;  but  they,  in  many  cases,  excelled  us  in 
individual  and  heroic  exertions  for  the  same  cause.  We  have  no  reason 
to  be  ashamed  of  our  ancestors ;  they  were  true,  earnest,  godly,  useful 
men.  We  love  to  give  them  honor.  Whether,  if  they  could  revisit  the 
scenes  of  their  devoted  labors,  they  would  be  proud  of  their  sons,  is 
doubtful.  They  would  have  much  to  learn,  and  many  prejudices  to 
subdue,  before  they  could  appreciate  the  present  order  of  things.  Our 
plans  for  spreading  the  gospel,  our  colportage  operations,  our  semina- 
ries for  the  education  of  young  ministers,  and  our  Sunday-schools,  would 
be  to  them  new,  and  would  not  meet  their  approval  without  careful  ex- 
amination.    The  result  of  that  inquiry  is  not  doubtful. 

Between  the  early  ministers  and  ministers  of  the  present  time,  several 
generations,  as  already  noted,  have  passed  away.  Among  these  may 
be  found  some  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  the  Vii'ginia  pulpit ;  men 
well  educated,  if  not  eminent  for  learniog ;  of  fervent  piety  and  com- 
manding talents.  With  some  of  these  it  was  the  privilege  of  the  author 
of  the  ensuing  volumes,  and  of  his  cotemporaries,  to  be  acquainted. 
They  were  noble  men,  and  ennobled  by  grace.  Where  can  we  find  the 
ministers  of  the  present  age  who  excel  Clopton  in  deep  and  burning 
piety;  Rice,  in  a  masculine  and  controlling  intellect;  Semple,  in  clear, 
practical  sense;  Broaddus,  in  chaste  and  touching  eloquence;  Kerr, 
in  vivid  and  overpowering  declamation  ? — not  to  mention  a  host  of  wor- 
thies of  various  and  precious  gifts.  Shall  the  memories  of  such  men 
be  permitted  to  perish?  Not  until  a  sad  degeneracy  shall  take  place  in 
the  churches  which  they  planted,  watered,  and  pruned. 

I  cannot  close  this  hasty  article  without  calling  the  attention  of  my 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

brethren  in  the  ministry  to  the  weighty  responsibility  that  rests  upon 
us.  Others  have  labored,  and  we  have  entered  into  their  labors.  We 
are  called  to  reap  the  fields  which  others  have  sowed.  The  degree  of 
prosperity  enjoyed  by  our  denomination  in  the  State  should  fill  us  with 
gratitude  to  God,  not  self-confidence;  with  humility,  not  pride.  If  we 
contemplate  the  progress  already  made  as  an  incentive  to  future  exer- 
tion, we  shall  do  well.  Let  us  mark  the  means  by  which  our  success 
has  been  attained,  that  we  may  continue  their  diligent  use.  The  history 
of  our  ministers  and  our  churches  will  demonstrate  that  success  has 
been  due  to  an  humble,  aflectionate,  and  faithful  presentation  of  the 
gospel  to  perishing  sinners.  We  have  been  in  no  measure  indebted  to 
worldly  display  or  carnal  policy  for  our  denominational  growth  and 
strength  ;  and  far  distant  be  the  day  when  we  shall  resort  to  such  influ- 
ences for  the  promotion  of  our  cause. 

Much  of  our  present  prosperity  is  attributable  to  the  disinterested- 
ness of  our  ministers ;  to  their  freedom  from  jealousy  and  partyism. 
Without  an  ecclesiastical  unity,  our  churches  ai-e  remarkably  united  in 
views,  spirit,  aims,  and  labors.  All  desire,  and  pray  for,  and  rejoice  in, 
the  success  of  all.  Let  us  carefully  guard  against  the  demon  of  discord. 
Party  leaders  are  a  curse  to  the  churches.  Let  not  this  language  be 
misunderstood.  Wisdom  and  experience  should  guide  us  in  all  our 
deliberations,  and  all  our  plans  ;  but  they  should  guide  not  as  a  matter 
of  right,  but  of  concession — not  by  the  weight  of  authority,  but  by  the 
force  of  argument  and  persuasion.  But  there  are  men  in  most  religious 
communities  who  must  rule  or  annoy ;  who  are  remarkable  not  for  pru- 
dence, but  self-will ;  who  would  rather  head  a  party,  however  small  and 
contemptible,  than  submit  to  the  carefully  considered  decision  of  a 
majority;  who,  in  short,  prefer  "to  be  judges  among  fools,  rather  than 
fools  among  judges."  Such  men  do  incalculable  mischief.  To  our  com- 
parative freedom  from  such  leaders  may  be  ascribed  much  of  the  present 
harmony  and  efficiency  of  our  denomination  in  Virginia. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  following  volumes  will  do  much  to  quicken,  en- 
courage, and  establish  our  churches.  With  so  many  bright  examples 
before  us,  we  shall  be  most  culpable  if  we  do  not  conduct  ourselves  as 
"becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ."  Let  us,  brethren,  "be  not  slothful, 
but  followers  of  them,  who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the 
promises." 

J.  B.  Jeter. 


CONTENTS  OF  FIRST  SERIES?^a  V> 


FA  as 

Abel,  Ephraim 277 

Alderson,  James  0 479 

Alderson,  John,  Sr 24 

Alderson,  John,  Jr 156 

Anthony,  Joseph 48 

Asplund,  John 275 

Baker,  Elijah 110 

Barrow,  David 161 

Baskett,  William 93 

Bell,  James 172 

Bell,  William 441 

Billingsley,  John  Ashcum 444 

Bowers,  John 255 

Burgher,  Benjamin 201 

Chambles,  Nathaniel 363 

Chandler,  Jeremiah 398 

Chandler,  Rufus 481 

Chastain,  Bane 205 

Clay,  Eleazer 208 

Claybrook,  Richard 449 

Clopton,  William 273 

Conner,  Lewis 185 

Corbley,  John 108 

Courtney,  John 96 

Craig,  Elijah 65 

Craig,  Joseph 91 

Craig,  Lewis 85 

Creath,  William 358 

Dahbs,  Richard 419 

Darden,  Jacob.... 435 

Davidson,  John  A 514 


PAOS 

Davis,  Noah 485 

Dawson,  Martin 261 

Dickinson,  Crispin 478 

Dudley,  Ambrose 221 

Ellison,  James 394 

Eve,  George 246 

Ford,  Reuben 56 

Fristoe,  Daniel 39 

Fristoe,  William 69 

Garnett,  James 174 

Garrard,  John 25 

Goode,  John 274 

Goode,  Joseph 484 

Greenwood,  James 126 

Gregg,  Jacob 428 

Hardwick,  Benjamin 384 

Harriss,  Samuel 31 

Hatcher,  Jeremiah 369 

Healy,  James 438 

Healy,  John 442 

Hickman,  William 239 

Hilton,  Samuel .-.  387 

Ireland,  James , 115 

Jenkins,  John 387 

Johns,  Edmund 392 

Keeling,  Henry,  Sr 279 

Kelly,  Edward 363 


zu 


CONTENTS   OF  FIRST  SERIES. 


King,  Jolin 248 

Koontz,  Jokn 100 

Lane,  Dutton 29 

Latham,  Robert 354 

Layfield,  George 178 

Leigli,  WiUiam 352 

Lewis,  iTerson 253 

Lansford,  Lewis 138 

Major,  Richard 59 

Marshall,  Daniel 18 

Marshall,  William 105 

Mason,  "William 198 

Meglamare,  John 63 

Moore,  Francis 424 

Moore,  Jeremiah 216 

Murphy,  Joseph 28 

Murphy,  William 28 

Munroe,  John,  M.D 104 

M'Allister,  James  D 477 

Nelson,  Peter 475 

Newman,  Peyton 418 

Noel,  Theodorick 251 

Pedigo,  Joseph 382 

Picket,  John 67 

Picket,  Reuben 183 

Poindexter,  John 371 

Purrington,  Elisha 379 


Redding,  Joseph 215 

Rice,  Luther 460 

Richards,  William 355 

Rucks,  James 352 

Semple,  Roberts 305 

Shackleford,  John 223 

Shelboume,  James 262 

Shrewsbviry,  Nathaniel 367 

Shrewsbury,  Samuel 366 

Smith,  George  S 211 

Sorrel,  John 195 

Spotts,  John 612 

Stearns,  Shubael 13 

Stockton,  Robert 213 

Straughan,  Samuel  Lamkin 403 

Taylor,  John 225 

Thomas,  David 43 

Toler,  Henry 300 

Turpin,  Miles 399 

Waller,  Absalom 281 

Waller,  John 78 

Watkins,  Benjamin 256 

Weatherford,  John 50 

Webber,  WiUiam 152 

Williams,  John 128 

Wood,  WiUiam  A 457 

Woodfin,  Samuel 381 

Wright,  John 272 


Read,  James 26        Young,  John 179 


LIVES   OF 

VIRGINIA    BAPTIST    MINISTERS. 


SHrBAEL    STEARNS. 

In  preserving  the  memary  of  those  who  have  distinguished 
themselves  among  men,  we  are  not  to  be  confined  to  the  learned 
and  the  brave.  These  may  deserve  a  place  in  the  grateful  recol- 
lections of  posterity,  for  discoveries  in  science,  or  achievements  in 
war.  But  merit,  exhibited  in  patient  and  laborious  exertions  for 
the  spiritual  improvement  of  man,  deserves  a  much  higher  regard. 
When  the  records  of  eternity  shall  be  unrolled,  he  will  be  esteemed 
truly  great  who  has  been  wise  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  and  who, 
counting  not  his  life  dear  unto  himself,  has  labored  faithfully,  "to 
testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God." 

Such  was  Shubael  Steams.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  who 
led  the  way  in  promulging  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  in  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  born  in  the  City  of  Boston,  in  the  year  1706. 
Concerning  his  early  history,  little  or  nothing  is  known.  In 
giving  a  sketch  of  his  life,  the  biographer  must  pass  over  many 
incidents,  which,  if  known,  might  be  interesting. 

About  the  year  1140,  a  most  extensive  revival  of  religion  was 
experienced  in  the  New  England  States,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  the  celebrated  George  Whitefield  and  others.  In  con- 
sequence of  some  peculiarities  in  the  views  and  manner  of  the 
laborers  in  that  work,  they,  with  their  followers,  were  called  New 
Lights,  and  afterwards  Separates.  With  this  body  of  Christians 
Mr.  Stearns  connected  himself,  in  the  year  1745.  Immediately 
after,  his  mind  became  impressed  with  the  obligation  to  preach 

VOL.  I.  2  (13) 


14  SHUBAEL   STEAENS. 

the  gospel,  and,  accordingly,  he  entered  upon  this  responsible 
work.  He  continued  with  the  Pedobaptists  until  1T51,  when, 
examining  the  word  of  God,  he  was  convinced  that,  in  reference 
to  the  ordinance  of  immersion,  he  had  neglected  a  most  important 
command  of  the  Redeemer.  The  futility  of  infant  baptism  was 
also  discovered,  and  he  determined  to  take  up  his  cross,  be  bap- 
tized, and  unite  himself  with  the  Baptists.  He  was  immersed  by 
Elder  Wait  Palmer,  at  Tolland,  Connecticut,  and  on  the  twen- 
tieth of  May  in  the  same  year,  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry. 

Mr.  Stearns  continued  to  labor  in  the  New  England  States  two 
or  three  years,  but  he  soon  became  restless  in  contemplating  other 
portions  of  our  country,  which  were  more  destitute  of  the  preached 
word.  He  panted  to  carry  the  news  of  redeeming  mercy  where 
they  had  been  as  yet  but  partially  proclaimed,  and  cherished  a 
solemn  impression  that  it  was  his  duty  to  travel  more  extensively. 
Accordingly,  he  left  his  native  State,  and  pursued  his  course  in  a 
southwesterly  direction,  accompanied  by  some  Christian  brethren. 
He  concluded  to  remain  awhile  in  Yirginia,  preaching  in  the 
Counties  of  Berkeley  and  Hampshire.  There  seems  to  have  been 
a  number  of  the  friends  of  the  Redeemer  in  this  region,  who  gave 
him  a  hearty  welcome,  and  encouraged  him  in  his  labors.  Before 
his  arrival,  a  Baptist  church  had  been  constituted  on  Opeckon 
Creek,  Berkeley  County,  and  among  them  Mr.  Stearns  was  emi- 
nently useful. 

The  next  field  occupied  by  this  man  of  God  was  in  Guilford 
County,  North  Carolina.  Here  he  permanently  settled.  The 
great  spiritual  destitution  which  prevailed  seems  to  have  induced 
his  removal  to  that  region.  Such  was  the  anxiety  to  hear  the 
gospel  preached,  that  the  people  would  frequently  travel  a  day's 
journey  to  attend  a  religious  meeting.  This  afforded  an  exten- 
sive range  for  the  benevolent  spirit  of  Stearns.  He  commenced 
his  labors  with  building  a  house  of  worship,  and  constituting  a 
church  of  sixteen  persons.  The  following  notice  from  Semple's 
History,  will  furnish  an  encouraging  statement  of  the  success  of 
his  ministry  among  this  people : — 

"  The  inhabitants  about  this  little  colony  of  Baptists,  although 
brought  up  in  the  Christian  religion,  were  grossly  ignorant  of  its 


SHUBAEL   STEARNS.  15 

essential  principles.  Having  the  form  of  godliness,  they  knew 
nothing  of  its  power.  Stearns  and  his  party,  of  course,  brought 
strange  things  to  their  ears.  To  be  born  again  appeared  to  them 
as  absurd  as  it  did  to  the  Jewish  doctor,  when  he  asked  if  he  must 
enter  the  second  time  into  his  mother's  womb  and  be  born.  Hay- 
ing always  supposed  that  religion  consisted  in  nothing  more  than . 
the  practice  of  its  outward  duties,  they  could  not  comprehend  how 
it  should  be  necessary  to  feel  conviction  and  conversion ;  and  to 
be  able  to  ascertain  the  time  and  place  of  one's  conversion  was, 
in  their  estimation,  wonderful  indeed.  These  points  were  all 
strenuously  contended  for  by  the  new  preachers.  But  their  man- 
ner of  preaching  was,  if  possible,  much  more  novel  than  their  doc- 
trines. The  Separates  in  New  England  had  acquired  a  very  warm 
and  pathetic  address,  accompanied  by  strong  gestures  and  a  singu- 
lar tone  of  voice.  Being  often  deeply  affected  themselves  when 
preaching,  correspondent  affections  were  felt  by  their  pious  hear- 
ers, which  were  frequently  expressed  by  tears,  trembling,  screams, 
and  acclamations  of  grief  and  joy.  All  these  they  brought  with 
them  into  their  new  habitation,  at  which  the  people  were  greatly 
astonished,  having  never  seen  things  on  this  wise  before.  Many 
mocked ;  but  the  power  of  God  attending  them,  many  also  trem- 
bled. In  process  of  time,  some  of  the  inhabitants  became  con- 
verts, and  bowed  in  obedience  to  the  Redeemer's  sceptre.  These, 
uniting  their  labors  with  the  others,  a  powerful  and  extensive 
work  commenced,  and  Sandy  Creek  Church  soon  swelled  from 
sixteen  to  six  hundred  and  six  members." 

In  the  midst  of  this  church  Mr.  Stearns  closed  his  valuable  life. 
He  had  traveled  extensively  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  and 
been  instrumental  in  doing  much  good,  when  his  Master  called 
him  to  his  reward  in  heaven.  When  j&rst  confined  to  his  bed,  his 
mind  was  depressed,  but  the  darkness  was  of  short  duration.  He 
was  made  to  suffer  much,  and  protractedly,  in  body,  but  his  soul 
was  joyful  in  the  God  of  his  salvation.  Having  preached  to 
others  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  he  found  him  in  the  trying  hour 
precious  to  his  soul.  On  the  20th  of  November,  1T71,  his  happy 
spirit  was  dismissed,  to  take  its  place  among  the  holy  and  good 
in  a  better  world.  His  body  was  interred  near  the  meeting-house 
in  which  he  had  so  often  spoken  the  word  of  God. 


16  SHUBAEL  STEARKS. 

At  this  distant  period,  it  is  not  possible  to  present  a  distinct 
portraiture  of  his  character  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  Mr. 
Morgan  Edwards*  has,  in  his  own  peculiar  style,  furnished  a  few 
interesting  facts,  which  are  annexed,  and  with  which  we  close  the 
biography  of  one  of  the  most  useful  ministers  of  the  eighteenth 
century : — 

"Mr.  Steams  was  a  man  of  small  stature,  but  of  good  natural 
parts  and  sound  judgment.  Of  learning  he  had  but  a  little  share, 
yet  was  pretty  well  acquainted  with  books.  His  voice  was  musi- 
cal and  strong,  which  he  managed  in  such  a  manner,  as  one  while 
to  make  soft  impressions  on  the  heart  and  fetch  tears  from  the 
eyes  in  a  mechanical  way ;  and  anon,  to  shake  the  very  nerves, 
and  throw  the  animal  system  into  tumults  and  perturbations.  All 
the  Separate  Baptists  copied  after  him  in  tones  of  voice  and  ac- 
tions of  body ;  and  some  few  exceeded  him.  His  character  was 
indisputably  good,  both  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a  preacher. 
In  his  eyes  was  something  very  penetrating — there  seemed  to  be 
a  meaning  in  every  glance.  Many  stories  have  been  told  respect- 
ing the  enchantments  of  his  eyes  and  voice,  but  the  two  following 
examples  we  give  with  the  more  confidence,  because  the  subjects 
of  them,  viz.,  Tidence  Lane  and  Elnathan  Davis,  were  men  of 
sense  and  reputation,  and  afterwards  became  distinguished  minis- 
ters of  the  Baptist  Society. 

"'When  the  fame  of  Mr.  Stearns's  preaching,'  said  Mr.  Lane, 
'had  reached  the  Yadkin,  where  I  lived,  I  felt  a  curiosity  to  go 
and  hear  him.  Upon  my  arrival,  I  saw  a  venerable  old  man  sit- 
ting under  a  peach-tree,  with  a  book  in  his  hand,  and  the  people 
gathering  about  him.  He  fixed  his  eyes  upon  me  immediately, 
which  made  me  feel  in  such  a  manner  as  I  never  had  felt  before. 
I  turned  to  quit  the  place,  but  could  not  proceed  far.  I  walked 
about,  sometimes  catching  his  eyes  as  I  walked.  My  uneasiness 
increased,  and  became  intolerable.  I  went  up  to  him,  thinking 
that  a  salutation  and  shaking  hands  would  relieve  me;  but  it 


*  Morgan  Edwards  was  an  eminent  Welsli  minister,  and  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Churcli  in  Philadelphia  for  ten  years  subsequent  to  1761. 
From  his  unpublished  writings  Mr.  Benedict  has  drawn  largely  in  hi^ 
History  of  the  Baptists. 


SHUBAEL  STEAUNS.  17 

happened  otherwise.  I  began  to  think  that  he  had  an  evil  eye, 
and  ought  to  be  shunned;  but  shunning  him  I  could  no  more 
effect  than  a  bird  can  shun  the  rattlesnake  when  it  fixes  its  eyes 
upon  it.  When  he  began  to  preach,  my  perturbations  increased, 
so  that  nature  could  no  longer  support  them,  and  I  sunk  to  the 
ground.' 

"Mr.  Lane  afterwards  became  a  very  useful  Baptist  minister, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  denomination  who  removed  to 
Tennessee,  where  he  administered,  until  his  death,  with  reputa- 
tion and  success. 

"Elnathan  Davis  had  heard  that  one  John  Steward  was  to  be 
baptized  such  a  day  by  Mr.  Stearns.  Now  this  Steward  being  a 
very  large  man,  and  Stearns  of  small  stature,  he  concluded  there 
would  be  some  diversion,  if  not  drowning ;  therefore,  he  gathered 
about  eight  or  ten  of  his  companions  in  wickedness,  and  went  to 
the  spot.  Mr.  Stearns  came,  and  began  to  preach.  Elnathan 
went  to  hear  him,  while  his  companions  stood  at  a  distance.  He 
was  no  sooner  among  the  crowd  than  he  perceived  some  of  the 
people  tremble,  as  if  in  a  fit  of  the  ague ;  he  felt  and  examined 
them,  in  order  to  find  if  it  were  not  a  dissimulation ;  meanwhile 
one  man  leaned  on  his  shoulder,  weeping  bitterly ;  Elnathan,  per- 
ceiving he  had  wet  his  new  white  coat,  pushed  him  off  and  ran  to 
his  companions,  who  were  sitting  on  a  log  at  a  distance.  When 
he  came,  one  said,  *  Well,  Elnathan,  what  do  you  think  now  of 
these  people?'  affixing  to  them  a  profane  and  reproachful  epi- 
thet. He  replied,  '  There  is  a  trembling  and  crying  spirit  among 
them,  but  whether  it  be  the  Spirit  of  Grod  or  the  devil,  I  don't 
know ;  if  it  be  the  devil,  the  devil  go  with  them,  for  I  will  never 
more  venture  myself  among  them.'  He  stood  awhile  in  that  reso- 
lution ;  but  the  enchantment  of  Stearns's  voice  drew  him  to  the 
crowd  once  more.  He  had  not  been  long  there  before  the  trem- 
bling seized  him  also ;  he  attempted  to  withdraw,  but  his  strength 
failing,  and  his  understanding  being  confounded,  he,  with  many 
others,  sunk  to  the  ground.  When  he  came  to  himself,  he  found 
nothing  in  him  but  dread  and  anxiety,  bordering  on  horror.  He 
continued  in  this  situation  some  days,  and  then  found  relief  by 
faith  in  Christ.  Immediately  he  began  to  preach  conversion  work, 
raw  as  he  was,  and  scanty  as  his  knowledge  must  have  been. 

VOL.  I. — B  2* 


18  DANIEL   MARSHALL. 

Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Baltimore  County,  Maryland,  lt35;  was 
bred  a  Seventh-day  Baptist ;  went  to  Slow  River,  North  Caro- 
lina, in  1757 ;  was  baptized  by  Shubael  Stearns  at  Sandy  Creek, 
and  ordained  by  Samuel  Harriss,  in  1764;  continued  in  I^ortb 
Carolina  until  1798,  when  he  removed  to  South  Carolina,  and 
settled  in  the  bounds  of  the  Saluda  Association." 


DANIEL    MARSHALL. 

The  conspicuous  part  which  Daniel  Marshall  took  in  the  early 
history  of  Yirginia  Baptists  will  make  a  brief  notice  of  his  life 
acceptable  to  our  churches.  He  was  instrumental  in  the  conver- 
sion of  many  sinners,  and  the  organization  of  several  churches  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  State.  The  notice  which  follows  was 
prepared  by  his  son,  Elder  Abraham  Marshall,  and  originally  pub- 
lished in  the  "  Georgia  Analytical  Repository"  of  the  year  1802 : — 

"In  giving  a  biographical  sketch  of  my  honored  father,  we 
must  look  back  to  the  distance  of  almost  a  century.  His  birth 
was  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1706,  in  Windsor,  a  town  in  Con- 
necticut. He  was  religiously  educated  by  respectable  and  pious 
parents,  and  being  hopefully  converted  at  twenty  years  of  age, 
joined  the  then  standing  order  of  Presbyterians  in  his  native 
place.  The  natural  ardor  of  his  mind  soon  kindled  into  the  fire 
of  holy  zeal ;  and,  without  the  advantage  of  a  liberal  education, 
raised  him  so  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  brethren,  that  they  called 
him  to  the  ofl&ce  of  a  deacon.  In  the  exemplary  discharge  of  his 
duty  in  this  capacity  he  continued  nearly  twenty  years.  During 
this  time  he  married ;  and  lost  a  wife,  by  whom  he  had  a  son, 
named  after  himself,  Daniel,  who  is  still  a  useful  member  of 
society.  At  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years,  our  worthy  parent 
was  one  of  the  thousands  in  New  England  who  heard  that  son 
of  thunder.  Rev.  George  Whitefield,  and  caught  his  seraphic  fire. 
Firmly  believing  in  the  near  approach  of  the  'latter-day  glory,' 
when  the  Jews,  with  the  fullness  of  the  Gentiles,  shall  hail  their 
Redeemer,  and  bow  to  his  gentle  sceptre,  a  number  of  worthy 


DANIEL  MAESHALL.  19 

characters  ran  to  and  fro  through  the  Eastern  States,  warmly  ex- 
horting to  the  prompt  adoption  of  every  measure  tending  to 
hasten  that  blissful  period.  Others  sold,  gave  away,  or  left  their 
possessions,  as  the  powerful  impulse  of  the  moment  determined ; 
and,  without  scrip  or  purse,  rushed  up  to  the  head  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, to  convert  the  heathens,  and  settled  in  a  town  called  Onna- 
quaggy,  among  the  Mohawk  Indians.  One,  and  not  the  least 
sanguine,  of  these  pious  missionaries,  was  my  venerable  father. 
Great  must  have  been  his  faith !  great  his  zeal !  when,  without 
the  least  prospect  of  a  temporal  reward,  with  a  much-beloved  wife 
and  three  children,  he  exchanged  his  commodious  buildings  for  a 
miserable  hut ;  his  fruitful  fields  and  loaded  orchards  for  barren 
deserts;  the  luxuries  of  a  well -furnished  table  for  coarse  and 
scanty  fare ;  and  numerous  civilized  friends  for  rude  savages ! 
He  had  the  happiness,  however,  to  teach  and  exhort  for  eighteen 
months  in  this  place,  with  considerable  success.  A  number  of 
the  Indians  were,  in  some  degree,  impressed  with  eternal  con- 
cerns, and  several  became  cordially  obedient  to  the  gospel.  But 
just  as  the  seeds  of  heavenly  truth,  sown  with  tears  in  this  un- 
promising soil,  began  to  appear  in  their  first  fruits,  the  breaking 
out  of  war  among  the  savage  tribes  occasioned  his  reluctant 
removal  to  Connogogig,  in  Pennsylvania.  From  thence,  after 
finding  it  much  more  difficult  to  benefit  Scribes  and  Pharisees  than 
Publicans  and  sinners,  he  removed  to  a  place  near  Winchester,  in 
Yirginia. 

"Here  he  became  acquainted  with  a  Baptist  church  belonging 
to  the  Philadelphia  Association;  and  as  the  result  of  a  close, 
impartial  examination  of  their  faith  and  order,  he  and  my  dear 
mother  were  baptized  by  immersion,  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of 
his  life.  He  was  now  called,  as  a  licensed  preacher,  to  the  unre- 
strained exercise  of  his  gifts;  and  though  they  were  by  no  means 
above  mediocrity,  he  was  instrumental  in  awakening  attention,  in 
many  of  his  hearers,  to  the  interest  of  their  souls. 

"Under  the  influence  of  an  anxious  desire  to  be  extensively 
useful,  he  proceeded  from  Yirginia  to  Hugwarry,  in  ISTorth  Caro- 
lina, where  his  faithful  and  incessant  labors  proved  the  happy 
means  of  arousing  and  converting  numbers.  Being  evidently 
and  eminently  useful,  as  an  itinerant  preacher,  he  continued  his 


20  DANIEL  MARSHALL, 

peregrination  to  Abbott's  Creek,  in  the  same  State,  where  he  was 
the  instrument  of  planting  a  church ;  of  which  he  was  ordained 
pastor,  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age,  by  his  brothers-in-law, 
Rev.  Messrs.  Henry  Ledbetter  and  Shubael  Stearns.  Soon 
after  receiving  this  honor,  my  reverend  father,  traveling  at 
different  times  into  Yirginia,  baptized  Colonel  Samuel  Harriss, 
with  whom  he  immediately  afterwards  made  several  tours,  and 
preached,  and  planted  the  gospel  in  various  places,  as  far  as 
James  River.  It  was  but  a  few  years  after  his  ordination,  before, 
induced  by  appearances  of  increasing  usefulness,  he  took  an  affec- 
tionate leave  of  his  beloved  charge,  and  settled  on  Beaver  Creek, 
in  South  Carolina. 

"  In  this  jolace,  likewise,  a  church  was  raised  under  his  minis- 
try ;  and  until  brought  to  a  good  degree  of  maturity  in  divine 
things,  was  an  object  of  his  tender  and  unremitted  care  and  solici- 
tude. At  the  direction  of  divine  Providence,  as  he  conceived, 
and  as  subsequent  events  have  proved,  his  next  removal  was  to 
Horse  Creek,  about  fifteen  miles  north  of  Augusta. 

"  The  fruits  of  his  labors  in  this  place  remain  in  a  respectable 
church,  some  of  whose  sons,  raised  up  under  his  care,  have  suc- 
cessfully diffused  the  light  of  divine  truth  through  various  be- 
nighted regions.  From  Horse  Creek  my  aged  father  made  his 
first  visits  to  this  State.  On  the  second  or  third  of  these,  while 
in  prayer,  he  was  seized,  in  the  presence  of  his  audience,  for 
preaching  in  the  Parish  of  St.  Paul,  and  made  to  give  security 
for  his  appearance  in  Augusta,  on  the  following  Monday,  to 
answer  this  charge.  Accordingly,  he  stood  a  trial,  and  after  his 
meekness  and  patience  were  sufficiently  exercised,  he  was  ordered 
to  come,  as  a  preacher,  no  more  into  Georgia. 

"In  the  words  of  an  Apostle,  similarly  circumstanced,  he 
replied,  'Whether  it  be  right  to  obey  God,  or  man,  judge  ye.' 
Consistently  with  this  just  and  spirited  replication,  he  pursued  his 
luminous  course ;  and  on  the  1st  of  January,  lYTl,  came  with  his 
family,  and.  took  up  his  final  earthly  residence  at  the  Kioke.  The 
following  spring  the  church  here  was  formed,  and  it  is  famous 
for  having  furnished  materials  for  several  other  churches.  For 
this  purpose  many  common  members  have  been  dismissed,  and 
several  ministers   ordained.      Among  these  are   Rev.  Messrs. 


DANIEL  xMARSHALL.  ■  21 

Saunders  Walker,  Samuel  Newton,  Loveless  Savage,  Alexander 
Scott,  and  the  writer  of  this  article.  Through  Grod's  blessing  on 
the  ministry  of  her  indefatigable  founder  and  pastor,  this  church 
continued  to  lengthen  her  cords  and  strengthen  her  stakes, 
breaking  forth  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,  until  our  beloved 
country  was  unhappily  involved  in  the  horrors  of  war.  'No 
scenes,  however,  from  the  commencement  to  the  termination  of 
hostilities,  were  so  gloomy  and  alarming  as  to  deter  my  inestimable 
father  from  discharging  the  duties  of  his  station.  ISTeither 
reproaches  nor  threatenings  could  excite  in  him  the  least 
appearance  of  timidity,  or  anything  inconsistent  with  Christian 
and  ministerial  heroism.  As  a  friend  to  the  American  cause,  he 
was  once  made  a  prisoner,  and  put  under  a  strong  guard.  But, 
obtaining  leave  of  the  officers,  he  commenced  and  supported  so 
heavy  a  charge  of  exhortation  and  prayer,  that,  like  Daniel  of 
old,  while  his  enemies  stood  amazed  and  confounded,  he  was 
safely  and  honorably  delivered  from  this  den  of  lions.  Even  the 
infirmities  of  old  age,  and  the  evident  approach  of  the  king  of 
terrors,  were  not  sufficient  to  shake  his  faith  or  hope,  nor  in  the 
least  perceivable  degree  to  abate  his  zeal. 

"  A  few  months  previous  to  his  decease,  rising  in  his  pulpit, 
which  he  had  frequently  besprinkled  with  his  tears,  and  from 
which  he  had  as  often  descended  to  weep  over  a  carelesss  auditory, 
he  said,  'I  address  you,  my  dear  hearers,  with  a  diffidence  that 
arises  from  a  failure  of  memory  and  a  general  weakness  of  body 
and  mind,  common  to  my  years.  But  I  recollect,  "  he  that  holds 
out  to  the  end  shall  be  saved;"  and  I  am  resolved  to  finish  my 
course  in  the  cause  of  God.' 

"Accordingly,  he  attended  public  worship  regularly,  even 
through  his  lingering  mortal  illness,  until  the  last  Sabbath  but 
one  before  his  dissolution.  In  his  family  he  invariably  performed 
his  usual  round  of  holy  duties,  until  the  morning  immediately 
preceding  his  happy  change.  Fully  apprised  of  this,  as  at  hand, 
and  perfectly  in  his  senses,  he  expressed,  distinctly  and  emphati- 
cally, his  steady  and  increasing  confidence  of  future  bliss. 

"  The  following,  taken  by  me  in  the  presence  of  a  few  deeply 
affected  friends  and  relatives,  as  he  delivered  them,  were  his  last 
words : — 


22  DANIEL  MARSHALL. 

" '  Dear  bretliren  and  sisters,  I  am  just  gone.  This  night  I 
shall,  probably,  expire.  But  I  have  nothing  to  fear.  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight ;  I  have  finished  my  course ;  I  have  kept  the 
faith.  And  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
righteousness.  God  has  shown  me  that  he  is  my  God ;  that  I  am 
his  son ;  and  that  an  eternal  weight  of  glory  is  mine  !' 

"  The  venerable  partner  of  his  cares,  and,  I  may  add,  faithful 
assistant  in  all  his  labors,  sitting  bedewed  with  tears,  by  his  side, 
he  proceeded : — 

'"Go  on,  my  dear  wife,  to  serve  the.  Lord.  Hold  out  to  the 
end.     Eternal  glory  is  before  us !' 

"  After  a  silence  of  some  minutes,  he  called  me,  and  said,  '  My 
breath  is  almost  gone.  I  have  been  praying  that  I  may  go  home 
to-night.  I  had  great  happiness  in  our  worship  this  morning, 
particularly  in  singing,  which  will  make  a  part  of  my  exercises  in 
a  blessed  eternity.' 

"  Now,  gently  closing  his  eyes,  he  cheerfully  gave  up  his  soul 
to  God,  with  whom,  I  doubt  not,  he  walks,  '  high  in  salvation  and 
the  climes  of  bliss.' 

"  This  solemn  event  took  place  at  the  dawn  of  the  second  day 
of  November,  IT 84,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

"A  suitable  discourse  to  his  memory  was  delivered  from  the 
above-mentioned  passage  of  holy  writ,  by  the  late  Kev.  Charles 
Bufifey. 

"  Whatever  infirmities  might  appear  in  my  certainly  eminently 
pious  and  extensively  useful  father,  it  would  not  become  me  to 
bring  them  into  view,  except  it  were  to  show,  as  might  easily  be 
done,  that  'e'en  his  failings  leaned  to  virtue's  side.'  And  I 
handle  too  feeble  a  pen  to  delineate  the  various  excellent  qualities 
and  graces  which  adorned  him  in  every  relation  he  sustained 
through  life.     I  will  only  say — 

"  'Tho'  no  proud  pile,  learn'd  pen,  nor  letter'd  stone 
His  virtues  rare,  to  late  posterity  reveals  ; 
He'll  ever  shine,  and  waxingly  has  shone, 
Through  rolling  years,  in  ministerial  seals.'  " 

It  may  be  proper  to  add,  that  Mr.  Marshall  was  twice  mangled. 
Concerning  his  first  wife  nothing  is  known.    We  copy  a  few  lines 


DANIEL  MARSHALL.  23 

Ilrom  editorial  remarks  of  the  "Repository,"  in  wMch,  besides  a 
reference  to  his  family,  there  is  found  a  eulogy,  which  is  believed 
to  be  merited : — 

"In  IHS  Mr,  Marshall  married  his  second  and  last  wife,  Miss 
Martha  Stearns,  sister  to  Rev.  Shubael  Stearns,  Mr,  Marshall 
had  the  rare  felicity  of  jfinding  in  this  lady  a  Priscilla,  a  helper  in 
the  gospel.  In  fact,  it  should  not  be  concealed  that  his  extraor- 
dinary success  in  the  ministry  is  ascribable,  in  no  small  degree,  to 
Mrs.  Marshall's  unwearied  and  zealous  co-operation.  Without 
the  shadow  of  a  usurped  authority  over  the  other  sex,  Mrs. 
Marshall,  being  a  lady  of  good  sense,  singular  piety,  and  surpris- 
ing elocution,  has,  in  countless  instances,  melted  a  whole  concourse 
into  tears  by  her  prayers  and  exhortations. 

"Another  cause  to  which  Mr.  Marshall's  distinguished  utility 
is  attributable,  in  a  great  measure,  was  his  bold  and  independent 
method  of  procedure.  "With  a  soul  expanded  by  contemplations 
on  august  objects,  a  boundless  ambition  directed  to  a  correspond- 
ent prize,  and  the  world  completely  under  his  feet,  he  was  capable 
of  the  most  difficult  and  arduous  enterprises,  and  could  be  dis- 
mayed by  no  dangers.  Superior  to  local  attachments,  he  went 
from  place  to  place,  instructing,  exhorting,  and  praying  for 
individuals,  families,  and  congregations,  whether  at  a  muster,  a 
race,  a  public  market,  the  open  field,  an  army,  or  a  house  of 
worship ;  wherever  he  was  able  to  command  attention. 

"Such  conduct  was,  indeed,  and  may  still,  by  many,  be  con- 
sidered irregular,  and  little  less  than  as  savoring  of  insanity. 
But  if  he  acted  in  some  of  these  instances  as  if  he  were  beside 
himself,  it  was  for  the  sake  of  precious  souls ;  and  the  fruits  of 
his  astonishing  exertions  have  abundantly  shown  that  he  was  con- 
strained by  the  love  of  Christ. 

"It  may  possibly  be  thought  that  Mr.  Marshall  was  the  subject 
of  delusive  hope ;  that  he  was  culpably  enthusiastic,  when  he  left 
New  England,  with  a  family,  to  roam  under  the  rising  beams  of 
the  latter-day  glory,  as  he  supposed,  for  the  conversion  of  souls. 
But  let  this  matter  be  fairly  considered,  and  it  will  appear  that 
his  most  sanguine  expectations  must  have  so  far  been  fully 
realized.  Since  the  period  at  which  Mr.  Marshall  commenced 
his  career,  many  burning  and  shining  lights  have  aroused  a 


24  JOHN  ALDERSON,  SEN. 

slumbering  world,  and  liberally  shed  tbe  lustre  of  truth  in  its 
darkest  recesses ;  thousands  of  able  and  evangelical  writers  and 
preachers  have  been  raised  up,  and  as  many  gospel  churches 
formed ;  a  revolution  in  America  has  bestowed  religious  liberty 
on  one  quarter  af  the  globe ;  the  system  of  the  man  of  sin  has 
been  almost  demolished;  liberty  of  conscience  has  made  rapid 
advances  in  Europe ;  the  shouts  of  all  truly  religious  denomina- 
tions have  been  mingled  at  the  funeral  of  bigotry ;  the  Scriptures 
have  been  translated  into  several  barbarous  languages ;  mission- 
aries have  gone  out,  literally,  into  all  the  world ;  and  sinners  of 
all  descriptions  have  fallen,  by  thousands,  beneath  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  Grod. 

"  ISTow,  can  it  be  reasonably  presumed,  that  when  Mr.  Marshall, 
in  the  fervor  of  his  piety,  exchanged  New  England  for  the  Mohawk 
nation,  he  expected,  that  by  this  time  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
would  be  more  triumphant  than  the  present  advanced  state  of 
religion  throughout  the  world  fully  justifies  ? 

"  As  to  any  special  confidence  that  Mr.  Marshall  might  have 
had  in  God,  as  engaged  to  preserve  and  prosper  a  family  devoted 
to  His  service,  the  reader  will  probably  be  of  opinion  that  it  could 
not  have  been  stronger  than  it  ought  to  have  been,  in  view  of  the 
promises  on  which  it  was  based." 


JOHN   ALDEKSOlSr,    SEK 

No  man  of  his  day  was  more  distinguished  among  the  Baptists, 
than  he  whose  name  precedes  this  sketch.  He  was  one  of  the 
earliest  evangelical  preachers  of  Western  "Virginia.  To  him  are 
many  of  the  churches  indebted  under  God  for  their  existence  and 
growth.  He  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  and  came  to  this 
country  when  quite  young.  The  circumstances  under  which  he 
left  his  native  land  were  peculiar.  His  father,  a  minister  of 
useful  talents  and  respectable  character,  opposed,  with  consider- 
able violence,  a  matrimonial  connection  he  was  about  to  form. 
To  divert  the  attention  of  his  son  from  this  alliance,  he  prevailed 


JOHN  GARRAED.  25 

on  him  to  travel,  and  furnished  him  with  a  horse  and  the  requisite 
fands.  In  a  short  time  these  means  were  exhausted,  and  the 
prodigal  was  at  length  bound  on  board  a  vessel,  which  brought 
him,  without  the  consent  or  knowledge  of  his  parents,  to  America. 
On  arriving  in  this  country,  he  was  hired  by  the  captain,  for  his 
passage  money,  to  a  respectable  farmer  of  New  Jersey  by  the 
name  of  Curtis.  His  conduct  during  his  term  of  labor  was  such 
as  to  gain  the  esteem  of  Mr.  Curtis.  He  afterwards  married  his 
daughter,  and  was  highly  respected  by  all  with  whom  he  became 
acquainted. 

A  short  period  subsequent  to  his  marriage,  the  subduing  grace 
of  God  arrested  him.  He  became  a  believer  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
was  baptized  in  his  name.  With  his  characteristic  energy,  he  at 
once  began  to  recommend  the  Saviour  to  others.  Having  removed 
to  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  he  continued  in  that  vicinity  to 
preach  the  gospel  until  the  year  1755,  when  he  removed  to  the 
County  of  Rockingham,  Yirginia.  Upon  his  settlement  in  this 
State,  he  applied  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  within 
twelve  months  a  Baptist  church  was  constituted,  called  Smith's 
and  Lynville  Creek  Church,  in  the  County  of  Rockingham.  He 
became  the  pastor.  This  connection  was  retained  about  sixteen 
years,  when  he  removed  to  the  County  of  Botetourt. 

In  the  year  1T81,  about  nine  years  after  his  removal,  he  was 
called  to  the  rest  of  heaven. 


JOHN    GARRARD. 


The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  among  the  earliest  and  most 
successful  Baptist  ministers  of  Yirginia.  Nothing  is  known  of 
his  parentage,  the  circumstance  of  his  conversion,  or  his  entrance 
into  the  ministry.  He  migrated  from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
to  the  County  of  Berkeley,  Yirginia,  in  the  year  l'r54,  and  there 
labored  for  some  time  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  That  part  of 
the  country  was  then  sparsely  inhabited,  and  subject  to  the  assaults 
of  the  Indians.     Having  been  frequently  annoyed  by  them,  most 

VOL.  I.  3 


26  JAMES  EEAD. 

of  the  Church,  with  Mr.  Garrard,  removed  below  the  Blue-ridge, 
and  settled  for  awhile  in  the  County  of  Loudon.  During  his 
stay  there,  he  was  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  many  sinners. 
Prom  house  to  house  he  went,  warning  men  to  flee  the  wrath  to 
come,  and  preaching  Christ,  and  him  crucified. 

Thus,  what  seemed  at  the  time  a  heavy  trial,  was  made  to 
eventuate  in  good.  Such  was  his  success  that  it  was  deemed 
expedient  to  constitute  another  church,  which  was  called  Ketock- 
ton.  When  the  Ketockton  Association  was  formed,  consisting 
only  of  four  churches,  he  was  one  of  the  delegates,  and  assisted  in 
the  deliberations  of  the  meeting.  This  was  after  his  return  to 
the  County  of  Berkeley.  He  continued  to  serve  the  Mill  Creek 
Church  until  his  death.  For  some  time  he  was  also  employed  in 
supplying  Buck  Marsh  Church,  in  the  County  of  Frederick.  In 
addition  to  these  efforts  in  his  own  immediate  vicinity,  he  delighted 
to  spend  as  much  time  as  possible  in  carrying  abroad  the  blessed 
gospel.  Like  the  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  he  cherished  a  holy 
ambition  to  preach  Christ  where  he  had  not  been  named.  In  the 
journeys  of  that  devoted  man,  David  Thomas,  he  was  frequently 
accompanied  by  Elder  Garrard,  and  proved  a  most  faithful  and 
successful  coadjutor. 

His  talents  were  by  no  means  inconsiderable.  Such  was  the 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  brethren,  that  for  several 
years  in  succession  he  was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  Association. 
He  was  a  speaker  of  lively  address.  In  his  whole  ministerial 
course,  he  was  distinguished  by  a  glowing  and  persevering  zeal. 
He  continued  to  vindicate  his  Master's  cause,  until,  at  an  advanced 
age,  he  was  called  to  give  account  of  his  stewardship. 


JAMES    READ. 

Yery  little  is  known  concerning  the  history  of  James  Read, 
before  his  conversion  to  God.  According  to  his  own  account,  he 
was  in  very  early  life  the  subject  of  much  alarm,  under  the  con- 
sciousness of  his  guilt,  as  a  transgressor  of  the  Divine  law.  He 
seems,  however,  to  have  entertained,  on  the  subject  of  religion 


'   .  JAMES   READ.  27 

generally,  rery  incorrect  ideas.  It  was  not  until  1156,  lie  being 
then  about  thirty  years  old,  that  he  submitted  to  the  sway  of  the 
Prince  of  peace.  His  conversion  took  place  in  North  Carolina, 
under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Daniel  Marshall.  Up  to  this  period, 
his  opportunities  for  mental  improYement  were  quite  limited, 
insomuch  that,  at  the  time  he  entered  the  ministry,  he  could 
neither  read  nor  write.  Under  the  tuition  of  his  wife,  he  was 
soon  able  to  peruse  the  pages  of  unerring  truth. 

Although  he  was  in  many  respects  unqualified  to  instruct  in 
spiritual  things,  as  an  evangelist  he  was  successful  in  winning 
souls  to  Christ.  His  spirit  was  stirred  within  him,  when  he 
beheld  the  thousands  around  him  exposed  to  ruin ;  and  he  lifted 
up  his  voice  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  declaring  the  gospel 
of  Christ.  He  traveled  extensively  both  in  N^orth  Carolina  and 
Yirginia.  Indeed  his  talent  seems  to  have  been  peculiarly  suited 
to  itinerant  labor.  In  company  with  Samuel  Harriss  in  one  of 
his  journeys,  seventy-five,  and  in  another  more  than  two  hundred, 
were  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism. 

It  is  painful  to  be  compelled  to  state,  that  for  some  impropriety 
of  conduct,  he  was  excluded  from  the  fellowship  of  his  Christian 
brethren.  After  the  lapse  of  two  or  three  years,  when  satisfactory 
evidence  had  been  afforded  to  the  church  of  his  repentance,  he 
was  restored  to  their  afi'ections,  and  to  the  full  exercise  of  his 
ministerial  functions.  To  the  end  of  his  course  he  exhibited  a 
blameless  life,  and  was  made  of  God  useful  in  his  cause. 

Notwithstanding  the  piety  and  success  of  this  man  of  God,  he 
was  evidently  in  some  things  enthusiastic.  He  was  too  much 
inclined  to  regard  his  impressions  as  immediately  from  heaven. 
To  this  he  was  subject  from  childhood.  It  is  partly  to  be  ac- 
counted for  from  the  fact,  that  he  was  almost  altogether  unculti- 
vated, and  that  the  early  part  of  his  life  was  passed  in  a  time  of 
comparative  ignorance. 

His  death  took  place  in  I'ldS,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of 
his  age,  having  been  more  than  forty  years  engaged  in  the 
ministry.  His  end  is  said  to  have  been  most  triumphant.  He 
was  willing  to  leave  the  world,  because  he  expected  to  be  with 
Christ.  In  taking  his  departure,  he  said  to  a  friend  :  "Ho  you 
not  see  the  angels  waiting  to  convey  my  soul  to  glory  ?" 


28  WILLIAM   MURPHY. 


WILLIAM    MURPHY. 

Although  Elder  William  Murphy  finished  his  course  in  one 
of  the  Western  States,  a  brief  reference  to  his  life  and  labors 
deserves  a  place  in  this  work.  Under  the  ministry  of  Elder 
Shubael  Stearns,  he  was  awakened  and  led  to  Christ,  and  by  him 
he  was  baptized.  He  began  to  proclaim  the  gospel  at  a  rery 
early  period  of  our  denominational  history,  and  occupied  quite  a 
conspicuous  station  in  the  ministry.  His  labors  were  mostly 
performed  in  the  southwestern  parts  of  the  State, — the  region 
now  occupied  by  the  Roanoke  and  Strawberry  Associations.  He 
preached  much  also  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

His  exertions  were  attended  with  success.  As  his  natural 
powers  of  mind  were  good,  his  addresses  attracted  considerable 
attention,  and  many  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth. 
The  Ijord  honored  him  with  being  the  principal  instrument  in  the 
conversion  of  Samuel  Harriss,  whose  usefulness  in  the  church  was 
afterwards  so  extensive. 

His  discourses  were  of  a  doctrinal  cast.  About  the  year  1115, 
a  very  considerable  discussion  took  place  among  the  churches,  on 
the  extent  of  the  atonement.  In  this  controversy.  Elder  Murphy 
took  an  active  part.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  he  was  more 
ambitious  to  become  the  instrument  of  glorifying  the  Saviour  in 
the  salvation  of  souls,  than  to  distinguish  himself  as  an  able 
polemic. 


JOSEPH    MURPHY. 


This  laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ  was  a  brother  to  William 
Murphy.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Shubael  Stearns.  He  did 
not,  when  young,  enjoy  very  favorable  opportunities  for  the  cul- 
tivation of  his  mental  powers.  But  when  born  of  God,  and  called 
to  labor  in  word  and  doctrine,  he  assiduously  applied  himself  to 
study,  and  became  considerably  improved.  He  was  possessed  of 
a  fearless  temper,  and  was  thus  qualified  to  stem  the  torrent  of 


BUTTON  LANE.  29 

persecution,  which  in  his  day  rolled  in  upon  the  church.  He  and 
his  brother  were  reproachfully  called  "the  Murphy  boys,"  in 
allusion  to  their  youth.  But  this  he  regarded  not.  He  was  not 
easily  daunted  by  the  opposition  of  his  foes.  When,  on  a  certain 
occasion,  he  was  apprehended  and  tried  for  daring  to  preach 
without  a  warrant  from  the  estabhshment,  he  defended  himself  in 
the  most  manly  and  Christian-like  style.  Such  was  the  impression 
produced  on  the  minds  of  those  who  heard  him,  that  he  was  at 
once  acquitted  and  set  at  liberty. 

After  laboring  successfully  many  years  in  the  State  of  Yirginia, 
he  removed  to  North  Carolina,  and  became  pastor  of  a  church  on 
Deep  Creek,  in  the  County  of  Surry.  In  that  region,  he  was 
eminently  useful.  It  is  said  by  Mr.  Benedict,  that  he  was  con- 
sidered the  most  distinguished  minister  of  the  Yadkin  Association. 
His  influence  was  also  considerably  felt  in  the  State  of  South 
Carolina.  In  the  year  1166,  he  assisted  in  the  constitution  of 
the  Congaree  Church,  which  has  since  then  much  prospered. 

The  particulars  of  Mr.  Murphy's  last  days  are  not  known.  He 
was  living  in  the  year  1803,  being  then  more  than  eighty  years 
of  age.  He  was  characterized  for  his  peculiar  cheerfulness,  and 
was  much  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 


DTJTTON^    LANE.* 

Button  Lane  was  born  November  7th,  1132,  near  the  City 
of  Baltimore.  At  what  time  he  became  a  resident  of  Yirginia, 
is  not  known;  but  he  was  baptized  by  Shubael  Stearns,  in  1T58. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and,  probably,  to  the  care  of 
Dan  Biver  Church,  October  22d,  1164,  having  commenced  public 
speaking  immediately  after  he  was  baptized.  Mr.  Lane  was  not 
a  man  of  much  learning;  but,  having  a  strong  constitution,  a 
commanding  voice,  and  fervent  spirit,  he  did  great  things  in  his 
Master's  service. 

Dnenlightened  as  the  Virginians  were,  at  that  time,  it  was  not 
to  be  expected  that  he  would  be  allowed  to  go  in  peace.     Hi? 

^'  Prepared  by  Elder  R.  B.  Semple. 
3* 


30  BUTTON  LANE. 

3 

own  father  was  among  the  first  to  set  his  face  against  the  Bap- 
tists generally,  and  against  his  own  son  Dutton  in  particular.  He 
once  pursued  him  with  an  instrument  of  death.  It  fell  out, 
however,  that  instead  of  killing  his  son,  he  was  himself  slain  by 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  from  which  he  soon  after  revived  with  a 
hope  of  eternal  life,  and  was  baptized  by  that  very  son  whom  he 
would  have  slain. 

Mr.  Lane  was  once  preaching  at  a  place  called  Meherrin,  in 
Lunenburg  County,  where  a  Mr.  Joseph  Williams,  a  magistrate, 
charged  him,  before  the  whole  congregation,  not  to  come  there  to 
preach  again.  Mr.  Lane  mildly  replied,  that  as  there  were  many 
other  places  where  he  could  preach  without  interruption,  he  did 
not  know  that  he  should  come  there  again  shortly.  After  wishing 
peace  to  the  rest  of  the  company,  he  gravely  addressed  Mr.  Wil- 
liams, and  said,  "Little,  sir,  as  you  now  think  it,  my  impressions 
tell  me  that  you  will  become  a  Baptist,  a  warm  espouser  of  that 
cause  which  you  now  persecute."  This  prediction  came  to  pass; 
for,  in  about  twelve  years,  Williams  embraced  religion,  was  bap- 
tized, and  became  a  zealous  member  and  useful  deacon  in  the 
church  that  was  afterwards  formed  at  that  place. 

Once  he  was  preaching  against  drunkenness,  and  exposing  the 
vileness  and  danger  of  the  practice,  when  one  John  Giles  stood 
up,  saying,  angrily,  "I  know  who  you  mean,"  and  with  a  blasphe- 
mous oath  declared,  "I'll  demolish  you."  But  this  self-condemned 
sot  was  prevented  from  doing  any  harm. 

One  William  Cocker  had  conceived  such  malignity  against  the 
Baptists,  that  he  was  accustomed  to  say,  that  he  would  rather  go 
to  hell  than  heaven,  if  going  to  heaven  required  him  to  be  a 
Baptist.  But  falling  in,  accidentally,  where  Mr.  Lane  preached, 
he  was  struck  with  deep  conviction ;  and  being  delivered  by  con- 
verting grace,  he  became  a  pious  Baptist. 

Mr.  Lane  continued  preaching  till  his  death ;  but  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  was  somewhat  obscured  by  his  adopting  and 
maintaining  certain  strange  opinions.  By  diving  into  subjects 
not  revealed,  and  rather  neglecting  those  which  were  obvious  and 
more  important,  he  was  much  less  regarded.  He  lived  and  died 
a  pious  man,  however,  in  the  estimation  of  those  who  knew  him 
well. 


SAMUEL   HARRISS.  31 


SAMUEL    HARKISS. 

From  the  few  reminiscences  which  remain  of  the  life  and 
labors  of  Samuel  Harriss,  he  may  be  recognized  as  one  of  the 
most  laborious  and  useful  ministers  of  the  last  century.  He  was 
born  January  12th,  1T24,  in  the  County  of  Hanover,  Virginia, 
but  in  early  life  settled  in  Pittsylvania.  Before  his  conversion  to 
God,  he  not  only  maintained  a  reputable  character,  but  occupied 
several  prominent  stations  in  society — such  as  "church  warden, 
sheriff,  justice  of  the  peace,  burgess  for  the  county,  colonel  of  the 
militia,  captain  of  Mayo  Fort,  and  commissary  for  the  fort  and 
army."  To  fill  these  offices  he  was,  without  doubt,  well  qualified, 
not  only  by  the  kindness  of  his  heart  and  his  engaging  manners, 
but  by  the  possession  of  a  vigorous  and  cultivated  mind. 

It  was  not  until  he  had  reached  his  thirty-fourth  year  that  he 
became  the  subject  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  His  serious 
impressions  seem  to  have  been  occasioned  by  mingling  with  the 
pious,  and  reading  the  sacred  Scriptures.  He  had  not  been 
accustomed  to  hear  the  gospel  preached  by  the  Baptists,  a  sect 
of  people  who  for  some  time  had  been  exciting  much  attention  by 
the  simplicity  and  zeal  with  which  they  recommended  the  truth  of 
God.  In  the  perplexity  and  distress  of  his  mind,  Mr.  Harriss 
determined  to  be  present  at  some  of  their  meetings.  It  is  said 
that  when  engaged  in  the  army,  in  the  discharge  of  his  official 
duties,  he  providentially  found  an  opportunity  of  hearing  the 
gospel  by  Joseph  and  William  Murphy,  who  had  appointed  a 
meeting  at  a  house  near  Allen's  Creek,  on  the  road  leading  from 
Booker's  Ferry,  on  Staunton,  to  Pittsylvania  Court-house.  As  the 
people  were  collecting.  Colonel  Harriss  rode  up,  splendidly  attired 
in  his  military  habit.  What  is  to  be  done  here,  gentlemen  ?  said 
Harriss.  Preaching,  colonel.  Who  is  to  preach  ?  The  Murphy 
boys,  sir.  I  believe  I  will  stop  and  hear  them.  He  dismounted. 
The  house  was  small,  and  in  one  corner  stood  a  loom,  behind 
which  the  colonel  seated  himself  The  Lord's  eye  was  upon  him, 
and  the  truth  became  efTectual  in  deepening  his  convictions.  Sucli 
was  his  agony  of  mind,  that  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  his 


32  SAMUEL   HARRISS. 

sword  and  other  parts  of  his  regimentals  were  found  scattered 
around  him. 

Some  time  after  this,  he  was  introduced  into  the  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God.  His  joy  in  realizing  deliverance  from  the 
kingdom  of  darkness  was  of  the  most  rapturous  kind;  and  a 
fixed  determination  was  formed  to  consecrate  himself  to  the 
service  of  "Him  who  died  for  him,  and  rose  again."  Although, 
in  view  of  the  persecutions  with  which  the  Baptists  were  assailed, 
and  his  own  elevation  in  society,  there  was  strong  temptation  to 
neglect  his  duty,  he  nevertheless  chose  to  suffer  affliction  with 
this  despised  people,  and  was,  in  1158,  baptized  by  Elder  Daniel 
Marshall. 

He  commenced  his  ministerial  course  during  the  year  succeed- 
ing his  connection  with  the  church.  It  was  evident  from  the 
time  of  his  conversion,  that  the  Lord  designed  to  make  him 
•extensively  useful  in  building  up  his  cause  in  Virginia.  He  made 
a  relinquishment  of  his  worldly  honors,  and  gave  himself  wholly 
to  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  For  seven  or  eight  years 
his  labors  were  mostly  confined  to  Pittsylvania  and  the  neighbor- 
ing counties.  It  is  remarkable  that  during  this  time  he  had  not 
been  authorized  by  the  church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  to 
administer  the  ordinances,  although  he  filled  the  oflSce  of  a  ruling 
elder.  Some  peculiarity  of  sentiment  relative  to  the  ministerial 
office,  was  most  probably  the  occasion  of  this  delay,  for  while  he 
preached  the  word  and  exercised  the  pastoral  rule,  he  did  not 
officiate  in  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper. 

In  1169  he  was  ordained,  and  began  to  administer  the  ordi- 
nances. Mr.  James  Ireland,  who  was  afterwards  so  distinguished 
in  the  Baptist  ministry  of  Yirginia,  was  the  first  individual  he 
baptized.  Mr.  Ireland  thus  refers  to  this  circumstance: — "He 
was  a  great  favorite  of  the  ministers  in  Virginia,  and  they  had 
planned  it  among  them  that  I  should  be  the  first  person  he  bap- 
tized. He  was  considered  a  great  man  in  the  things  of  time  and 
sense,  but  he  shone  more  conspicuously  as  a  luminary  of  the 
church.  He  was  like  another  Paul  among  the  churches.  No 
man  was  like-minded  with  him.  As  the  sun  in  his  strength,  he 
passed  through  the  State,  displaying  the  glory  of  his  adorable 
Master,  and  spreading  his  light  and  heat  to  the  consolation  of 
thousands." 


SAMUEL   HARRISS.  33 

The  following  extract,  from  the  pen  of  Elder  John  Leland, 
will  not  here  be  out  of  place.  At  that  time  Mr.  Leland  lived 
in  Yirginia:  "In  August,  1*186,  I  attended  a  meeting  of  the 
General  Committee  at  Buckingham;  after  which  I  traveled 
southward  to  Pittsylvania,  to  visit  that  great  man  of  God,  Pv,ev. 
Samuel  Harriss.  I  had  met  Mr.  Harriss  before  on  the  banks  of 
James  River,  and  accompanied  him  at  his  meetings  through 
Goochland,  Fluvanna,  and  Louisa,  to  Orange.  At  a  meeting  in 
Goochland,  after  preaching  was  over,  Mr.  Harriss  went  into  the 
yard,  and  sat  down  in  the  shade,  while  the  people  were  weeping 
in  the  meeting-house,  and  telling  what  God  had  done  for  them,  in 
order  to  be  baptized.  A  gentlewoman  addressed  Mr.  Harriss  as 
follows:  'Mr.  Harriss,  what  do  you  think  all  this  weeping  is 
for?  are  not  all  those  tears  like  the  tears  of  a  crocodile?  I 
believe  I  could  cry  as  well  as  any  of  them,  if  I  chose  to  act  the 
hypocrite.'  On  this  address,  Mr.  Harriss  drew  a  dollar  out  of 
his  pocket,  and  replied,  '  Good  woman,  I  will  give  you  this  dollar 
for  a  tear,  and  repeat  it  ten  times ;'  but  the  woman  shed  no  tears. 
In  1T81  Colonel  Harriss  made  me  a  visit,  whose  coming  called 
out  a  vast  crowd  of  ministers  and  people.  His  eyes — ^his  every 
motion  was  preaching ;  but  after  he  had  read  his  text,  his  mind 
was  so  dark  that  he  could  not  preach ;  and  of  course  the  lot  fell 
on  me.  From  my  house  he  went  down  to  Spottsylvania,  where 
the  work  of  the  Lord,  like  a  mighty  torrent,  broke  out  under  his 
ministry. " 

At  this  period  he  had  become  well  known  throughout  Yirginia. 
His  journeyings  had  extended  to  the  more  eastern  and  northern 
portions  of  the  State  ;  and  wherever  he  went,  the  truth,  in  its 
simplicity,  was  dispensed.  His  success  as  an  evangelist  was 
most  astonishing.  The  gospel,  preached  by  him,  was  attended 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  made  eifectual  in  the  conversion  of 
many  souls.  It  is  said  that  he  had  been  allowed,  with  tokens  of 
the  Divine  blessing,  to  preach  Christ  crucified  in  almost  every 
part  of  Virginia,  and  in  many  parts  of  North  Carolina.  The 
estimation  in  which  he  was  universally  held,  may  be  ascertained 
from  the  fact,  that  when  the  General  Association  decided  that 
the  apostolic  office  was  designed  by  the  head  of  the  church  to  be 
perpetual,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  to  fill  this  office.     This 

VOL.  I. — C 


34  SAMUEL    HAERISS. 

unscriptural  decision  was  made,  and  the  appointment  conferred 
in  the  year  11 '74.  The  office  was  retained  by  him  but  a  few 
months.  This  circumstance  is  referred  to  simply  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  how  far,  by  his  labors  of  love,  he  had  gained  the 
affections  and  confidence  of  his  brethren. 

Perhaps  few  men  of  the  eighteenth  century  contributed  more 
to  extend  the  truth  and  ordinances  of  the  New  Testament  than 
Samuel  Harriss.  He  was  in  almost  all  respects  well  qualified  to 
secure  the  attention  of  those  who  heard  him.  "His  manners," 
says  Mr.  Semple,  "  were  of  the  most  winning  sort.  He  scarcely 
ever  went  into  a  house  without  exhorting  and  praying  for  those 
he  met  there.  As  a  doctrinal  preacher,  his  talents  were  rather 
below  mediocrity;  unless  at  those  times  when  he  was  highly 
favored  from  above,  then  he  would  sometimes  display  considerable 
ingenuity.  His  excellency  consisted  chiefly  in  addressing  the 
heart ;  and  perhaps  even  Whitefield  did  not  surpass  him  in  this 
respect.  "When  animated  himself,  he  seldom  failed  to  animate 
his  auditory." 

The  fact  has  been  already  alluded  to,  that  his  influence  among 
the  Baptists  of  Virginia  was  deservedly  extensive.  He  was 
called  to  preside  at  most  of  the  associations,  and  other  meetings 
for  business  which  he  attended.  In  the  struggles  that  took  place 
between  the  Baptists  and  the  established  church,  he  was  also 
honored  to  take  a  very  prominent  part.  He  was  not,  however, 
required  by  his  Master  to  sustain  the  same  fiery  persecutions 
which  were  endured  by  some  of  his  brethren.  His  influence  in 
society  previously  to  his  conversion,  as  well  as  his  naturally  fear- 
less spirit,  contributed  much  to  his  advantage. 

It  is  not  intimated  that  no  trials  were  suffered,  or  sacrifices 
made,  by  this  man  of  God.  He  gave  up  all  for  Christ.  "Being 
in  easy  circumstances,"  says  Mr.  Semple,  "  when  he  become  reli- 
gious he  devoted  not  only  himself,  but  almost  all  his  property,  to 
religious  objects.  He  had  begun  a  large  new  dwelling-house, 
suitable  to  his  former  dignity,  which,  as  soon  as  it  was  finished, 
he  appropriated  to  the  use  of  public  worship,  continuing  to  live 
in  the  old  one.  After  maintaining  his  family  in  a  very  frugal 
manner,  he  distributed  his  surplus  income  to  charitable  purposes." 
Persecutions  also  were  suffered.     Among  other  things  mentioned 


SAMUEL   JIARRISS.  35 

by  Mr.  Semple,  he  states,  "that  he  was  once  arrested  and  carried 
into  court  as  a  disturber  of  the  peace.  In  court,  a  Captain 
Williams  vehemently  accused  him  as  a  vagabond,  a  heretic,  and 
a  mover  of  sedition  everywhere.  Mr.  Harriss  made  his  defence. 
But  the  court  ordered  that  he  should  not  preach  in  the  county 
again  for  the  space  of  twelve  months,  or  be  committed  to  prison. 
The  colonel  told  him  that  he  lived  two  hundred  miles  from 
thence,  and  that  it  was  not  likely  he  should  disturb  them  again  in 
the  course  of  one  year.  Upon  this  he  was  dismissed.  From 
Culpepper  he  went  into  Fauquier,  and  preached  at  Carter's  Run. 
From  thence  he  crossed  the  Blue-ridge,  and  preached  in  Shenan- 
doah. On  his  return,  he  called  at  Captain  Thomas  Clanahan's, 
in  the  County  of  Culpepper,  where  there  was  a  meeting.  While 
certain  young  ministers  were  preaching,  the  word  of  God  began 
to  burn  in  Colonel  Harriss's  heart.  When  they  finished,  he 
arose  and  addressed  the  congregation :  '  I  partly  promised  the 
devil,  a  few  days  past,  at  the  court-house,  that  I  would  not 
preach  in  this  county  again  in  the  term  of  a  year.  But  the  devil 
is  a  perfidious  Avretch,  and  covenants  with  him  are  not  to  be 
kept;  and  therefore  I  will  preach.'  He  preached  a  lively, 
animating  sermon.     The  court  disturbed  him  no  more. 

"On  one  occasion,  in  Orange  County,  he  was  pulled  down  as 
he  was  preaching,  and  dragged  about  by  the  hair  of  the  head, 
and  sometimes  by  the  leg.  His  friends  rescued  him.  On  another 
time,  he  was  knocked  down  by  a  rude  fellow  while  he  was  preach- 
ing. But  he  was  not  dismayed  by  these,  or  any  other  difficulties. 
To  obtain  his  own  consent  to  undertake  a  laudable  enterprise,  it 
was  sufficient  for  him  to  know  that  it  was  possible.  His  faith 
was  sufficient  to  throw  mountains  into  the  sea,  if  they  stood  in 
the  way.  He  seems  also  never  to  have  been  appalled  by  the  fear 
or  the  shame  of  man.  He  could  confront  the  stoutest  son  of 
pride." 

The  views  of  Elder  Harriss  underwent  a  very  material  change 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  ministry,  with  reference  to  the  obligation 
of  the  churches  to  support  those  who  employ  their  time  in  preach- 
ing the  gospel.  For  many  years  he  not  only  entertained,  but 
taught  the  sentiment,  that  no  pastor  or  evangelist  should  expect 
remuneration  for  his  services.    This  course  was  pursued  in  oppos- 


36  SAMUEL  HARRISS. 

ing  the  support  of  the  established  church  by  legal  taxation.  But 
he  lived  to  deplore  the  extreme  to  which  he  had  allowed  himself 
to  go ;  an  extreme  as  opposed  to  justice  as  it  is  to  revelation. 
The  following  well- authenticated  anecdotes  exhibit  most  interest- 
ingly his  change  of  opinion  on  this  subject: — * 

"He,  with  several  others,  officiated  in  the  ordination  of  a  young 
man  living  near  the  City  of  Richmond.  This  young  man  had  a  wife 
and  two  or  three  children  dependent  on  his  efforts  for  support ;  he 
was  in  moderate  circumstances,  but  industrious  and  economical, 
and  they  were  comfortable  and  happy.  In  the  charge  which  was 
delivered  by  Elder  Harriss,  he  took  occasion  to  refer  to  the  sala- 
ries of  ministers,  in  allusion  to  the  recent  circumstances  of  the 
established  religion  in  Yirginia,  and  adjured  the  young  brother 
to  give  his  life  to  the  work,  trust  to  the  Lord  for  support,  but 
never  to  receive  a  cent  for  preaching ;  no,  never !  The  seiwices 
closed,  and  the  brethren  separated.  Some  five  or  six  years  after 
this  event.  Elder  Harriss  and  another  brother,  passing  late  in  the 
evening  through  this  neighborhood,  remembered  the  affectionate 
and  talented  young  minister,  wished  to  know  how  he  did,  and  de- 
termined to  spend  the  night  at  his  house.  They  rode  up  to  his 
residence,  but  as  they  approached,  they  observed  that  his  fields 
were  but  half  tilled,  his  fences  dilapidated,  and  his  farm  nearly 
destroyed  by  the  stock.  His  house  and  yard  were  in  keeping 
with  his  other  affairs.  Everything  had  the  appearance  of  neglect, 
and  evidently  all  was  hastening  to  ruin.  They  called.  His  wife 
came  to  the  door.  How  changed  !  She  did  not  now  wear  her 
former  rosy  and  contented  appearance,  but  was  emaciated,  pale, 

and  care-worn.    Brother  ■ was  not  at  home ;  he  was  absent  on 

a  tour  of  preaching,  and,  said  his  companion,  he  is  scarcely  ever 
with  us.  They  told  her  they  had  come  to  spend  the  night  with 
the  family.  She  remarked  that  nothing  could  give  her  greater 
pleasure  than  their  company  and  conversation,  but  she  had  not  in 
the  house  a  meal  to  place  before  them.  Well,  said  they,  never 
mind  that,  feed  our  horses,  we  are  not  hungry ;  we  can  wait  until 
morning,  and  stop  for  breakfast  on  our  way.     I  am  sorry,  said 


*  Extracted  from  "The  Baptist,"  published  in  Tennessee,  Elder  R.  B.  C 
Howell,  editor. 


SAMUEL   HARRISS.  37 

slie,  we  have  nothing  on  the  farm  we  can  give  your  horses,  unless 
we  cut  down  some  green  corn.  How  is  this,  said  the  venerable 
minister,  does  not  Brother provide  for  his  family  ?  He  can- 
not do  it,  said  his  wife,  weeping — he  preaches  constantly,  and  you 
know  when  he  was  ordained  you  charged  him  never  to  receive 
anything  for  preaching;  to  which  advice  he  has  always  strictly 
adhered.  The  ministers  bade  her  farewell,  and  turned  away  from 
this  scene  of  suffering  and  poverty  with  aching  hearts.  The 
teachings  of  the  word  of  Grod  rushed  powerfully  upon  the  mind 
of  Elder  Harriss,  and  he  was  oppressed  with  a  view  of  the  conse- 
quences of  his  unfaithfulness.  The  next  day  he  met  the  congre- 
gation ;  he  could  no  longer  forbear,  but  nobly  confessed  his  error 
before  the  assembled  multitude ;  he  that  day  preached  on  the 
duty  of  ministerial  support,  relating  this  event,  and  reminding 
them  of  the  ease  with  which  many  of  them  who  were  living  in 
affluence  could  relieve  this  distress." 

On  another  occasion,  when  traveling  in  company  with  a  brother 
in  the  ministry,  the  conversation  was  directed  to  this  subject.  He 
confessed  the  error  he  had  indulged  in  the  early  part  of  his  minis- 
try, at  the  same  time  deploring  the  influence  he  had  exerted  on  his 
brethren  who  labored  in  word  and  doctrine,  and  especially  on  the 
churches  ;  an  influence  which  he  saw  was  likely  to  be  most  inju- 
rious to  the  interests  of  religion.  Such  was  the  anguish  of  his 
mind,  in  reviewing  his  course,  that  he  insisted  on  retiring  to  the 
forest  and  making  it  a  subject  of  special  prayer.  There,  with 
strong  crying  and  tears,  he  lifted  up  his  confessions  and  petitions 
in  the  name  of  his  ascended  Redeemer. 

Respecting  the  last  moments  of  this  servant  of  Jesus  Christ  but 
little  is  known.  For  some  time  before  his  death  he  was  seized 
with  an  attack  of  paralysis,  from  which  he  never  entirely  recovered. 
Though  on  this  account  his  labors  were  much  interrupted,  he  still 
continued,  to  the  extent  of  his  ability,  to  recommend  to  all  around 
him  the  service  of  his  Master.  He  was  not  willing  to  be  an  idler 
in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  At  length,  after  having  seen  more 
than  threescore  years  and  ten,  he  took  his  departure  from  this 
scene  of  toil  and  pain,  to  receive  a  crown  of  life. 

This  sketch  will  be  closed  by  one  or  two  anecdotes,  related  by 
Elder  Semple,  with  a  few  reflections  from  his  pen  : — 

VOL.  T.  4 


38  SAMUEL  HARPJSS. 

"When  be  first  began  to  preach,  his  soul  was  so  absorbed  in 
the  work,  that  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  attend  to  the  duties  of 
this  life.  A  man  owed  him  a  sum  of  money,  which  he  actually 
stood  in  need  of,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  family.  He  went 
to  the  man,  and  told  him  he  would  be  very  glad  if  he  would  dis- 
charge the  debt  he  owed  him.  To  which  the  man  replied,  he 
could  not  pay  him  the  money.  Harriss  said,  'I  want  the  money 
to  buy  wheat  for  my  family.  You  have  a  good  crop  by  you — I 
had  rather  have  wheat  than  money.'  The  man  answered,  'I  have 
other  uses  for  my  wheat. '  ' How,  then, '  said  Mr.  H. ,  'do  you  intend 
to  pay  me  ?'  'I  never  intend  to  pay  you  until  you  sue  me,'  replied 
the  debtor.'  Mr.  Harriss  left  him,  meditating,  good  God,  said  he 
to  himself,  what  shall  I  do  ?  Must  I  leave  preaching  to  attend 
to  a  lawsuit  ?  Perhaps  a  thousand  souls  will  perish  in  the  mean 
time  for  the  want  of  hearing  of  Jesus.  No  !  I  will  not !  Well, 
what  will  you  do  for  yourself?  What?  I  will  sue  him  at  the 
court  of  heaven. 

"Having  resolved  what  to  do,  he  turned  aside  into  a  wood,  and 
fell  upon  his  knees,  and  thus  began  his  suit :  '  0  blessed  Jesus ! 
thou  eternal  Grod,  thou  knowest  that  I  need  the  money  which  the 
man  owes  me,  to  supply  the  wants  of  my  family;  but  he  will  not 
pay  me  without  a  lawsuit.  Dear  Jesus,  shall  I  quit  thy  cause, 
and  leave  the  souls  of  men  to  perish  ?  Or  wilt  thou,  in  mercy, 
open  some  other  way  of  relief?'  In  this  prayer,  Mr.  H.  found 
such  tokens  of  Divine  goodness,  that,  to  use  his  own  words,  Jesus 
said  unto  him :  '  Harriss  !  keep  on  preaching,  and  I  will  become 
security  for  the  payment.' 

"Mr.  H.  having  his  debt  thus  secured,  thought  it  most  proper 
to  give  the  debtor  a  discharge.  Accordingly,  he  shortly  after, 
passing  by  to  a  meeting,  carried  a  receipt  in  full  to  the  man's 
house,  and  gave  it  to  his  servant,  desiring  him  to  give  it  to  his 
master.  On  his  return  by  the  house,  after  meeting,  the  man  hailed 
him  at  his  gate,  and  said,  '  Mr.  H.  what  did  you  mean  by  the  re- 
ceipt you  sent  this  morning  ?'  Mr.  H.  replied,  '  I  meant  just  as  I 
wrote.'  'Well,  but  I  have  not  paid  you,'  answered  the  debtor. 
Harriss  said,  '  True ;  and  I  know,  also,  that  you  said  you  never 
would,  unless  the  money  came  at  the  end  of  an  execution ;  but, 
sir,  I  sued  you  in  the  court  of  heaven,  and  Jesus  has  agreed  to 


DANIEL  FRISTOE.  39 

pay  me.  I  have  therefore  given  you  a  discharge  1'  This  operated 
so  effectually  upon  the  man's  conscience,  that  in  a  few  days  he 
prepared  and  sent  to  Mr.  H.  wheat  enough  to  discharge  the  debt. 

"  Some  of  the  Christian  worldlings  of  the  present  day  will  say : 
Aye  !  but  this  will  not  do  often.  We  answer :  The  principle  is 
correct  at  all  times,  viz.,  to  commit  our  grievances  to  our  heavenly 
Father,  and  trust  him  for  a  full  recompense.  How  differently  do 
those  brethren  act,  who,  for  the  mere  pelf  of  this  world,  not  only 
go  to  law  with  the  wicked,  but  with  their  own  brethren !  And 
sometimes,  in  order  to  gain  their  point,  will  strive  to  blast  their 
reputation  in  open  court !  For  the  honor  of  religion,  it  must 
here  be  added,  that  these  things  have  seldom  (we  wish  we  could 
say  never)  occurred  among  the  Baptists. 

"A  criminal,  who  had  been  just  pardoned  at  the  gallows,  once 
met  him  on  the  road  and  showed  him  his  reprieve.  Well,  said 
he,  and  have  you  shown  it  to  Jesus  ?  No,  Mr.  Harriss,  I  want 
you  to  do  that  for  me.  The  old  man  immediately  descended  from 
his  horse  in  the  road,  and  making  the  man  also  alight,  they  both 
kneeled  down.  Mr.  H.  put  one  hand  on  the  man's  head,  and  with 
the  other  held  open  the  pardon.  And  thus,  in  behalf  of  the  crimi- 
nal, returned  thanks  for  his  reprieve,  and  prayed  for  him  to  obtain 
God's  pardon  also. 

"A  volume  might  be  filled  with  entertaining  anecdotes  respect- 
ing this  venerable  man." 


DANIEL    FRISTOE. 

Elder  Daniel  Fristoe  was  born  in  the  County  of  Stafford, 
December  tth,  1T39.  His  parents  were  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, but  the  advantages  of  even  a  liberal  English  education 
were  not  enjoyed.  Some  attention  was  given  to  his  morals,  for, 
in  childhood  and  youth,  though  of  sprightly  disposition  and  fond 
of  gay  society,  he  was  never  known  to  indulge  in  the  grosser  vices 
of  the  age.  Up  to  the  time  of  his  conversion,  he  was  accustomed 
to  attend  the  Episcopal  Church,  as  his  father's  family  were  of  that 
order. 


40  DANIEL  FRISTOE, 

Nothing  further  can  be  gleaned  concerning  him  until  the  grace 
of  God  became  magnified  in  the  renovation  of  his  heart.  Elder 
David  Thomas  seems  to  have  been  the  honored  instrument  of  lead- 
ing him  to  the  Saviour,  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age.  The 
following  circumstance,  which  is  related  by  Fristoe  in  his  History 
of  the  Ketockton  Association,  resulted  in  the  production  of  serious 
concern  on  the  subject  of  his  soul's  salvation.  He  was  induced, 
probably  by  motives  of  curiosity,  to  ride  several  miles  to  hear  a 
Baptist  minister  preach.  His  horse  having  escaped  and  left  him, 
he  was  compelled  to  remain  all  night  with  the  family  at  whose 
house  the  meeting  was  held,  and  who  were  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist church.  In  the  evening,  several,  who  a  short  time  previous 
had  tasted  and  felt  that  the  Lord  was  gracious,  visited  the  family, 
and  soon  entered  into  conversation  on  subjects  pertaining  to  the 
kingdom  of  God.  How  much  good  might  be  effected,  if  the  mo- 
ments were  generally  thus  spent  by  those  who  fear  the  Lord,  when 
they  meet  together  in  the  social  circle !  They  would  not  only 
promote  each  other's  growth  in  knowledge  and  holiness,  but  a 
spirit  of  inquiry  might  be  awakened  among  those  present  who 
knew  not  God.  Thus  it  was  in  relation  to  Daniel  Fristoe.  He 
had  heard  without  emotion  the  discourse  which  was  preached  in 
the  course  of  the  day,  while  the  free  interchange  of  sentiment 
which  was  indulged  among  the  disciples,  led  to  the  discovery  of 
his  lost  estate.  He  retired  under  the  affecting  consciousness  that 
he  was  destitute  of  the  pearl  of  great  price.  He  beheld  himself 
to  be  justly  exposed  to  wrath,  and  began  to  seek  the  way  of  sal- 
vation. TJnder  the  ministry  of  Elder  Thomas,  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  way  of  life,  and  joyfully  walked  therein.  "  Jesus 
Christ,  and  him  crucified,"  became  the  foundation  of  his  trust  and 
the  joy  of  his  heart.  He  delayed  not  to  make  known  the  happy 
change  he  had  realized.  Immediately  he  was  baptized  by  David 
Thomas,  and  "went  on  his  way  rejoicing." 

He  did  not  engage  in  the  work  of  the  ministiy  until  several 
years  after  his  conversion.  The  Lord's  cause,  however,  was  not 
forgotten  by  him  during  this  interval.  At  social  prayer-meetings 
he  was  quite  useful  as  a  leader,  frequently  exercising  his  talent  in 
exhortation.  The  church  of  which  he  was  a  member,  at  length 
encouraged  him  to  devote  himself  fully  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 


DANIEL   FRISTOE.  41 

His  own  mind  became  satisfled  that  it  was  liis  duty  to  do  so,  and 
subsequent  events  proved  that  the  Lord  was  with  him  and  blessed 
his  labors.  His  journeys  were  frequent  and  extensive,  during 
which  he  made  it  his  chief  object  to  spread  the  news  of  salvation 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

When  Brent  Town  Church  was  constituted,  Elder  Fristoe  was 
called  to  preside  over  them.  This  took  place  in  the  year  17  73. 
His  labors  having  been  successful  in  the  State  of-  Maryland,  and 
a  church  raised  up,  he  also  became  their  pastor.  In  conjunction 
with  Elder  William  Fristoe,  he  traveled  regularly  to  the  County 
of  Frederick,  a  distance  of  seventy  miles,  preaching  the  gospel,  and 
was  instrumental  in  originating  Buck  Marsh  Church.  Indeed, 
wherever  he  went,  many  through  his  ministry  were  converted  to 
God. 

His  discourses  were. mostly  of  the  hortatory  character.  By 
his  brother,  Elder  William  Fristoe,  he  is  represented  as  having 
been  qualified  to  awaken  attention  by  his  warm  and  impassioned 
manner.  There  does  not  seem  to  have  been  much  depth  of 
thought  exhibited,  and  his  style  was  far  from  being  accurate  or 
beautiful.  But  he  loved  the  souls  of  men,  and  sought  to  per- 
suade them  to  turn  from  their  sins  to  God.  He  was  also  very 
deeply  concerned  to  promote  the  harmony  and  purity  of  the 
churches. 

"An  anecdote,  related  by  William  Fristoe,  who  served  his 
brother  Daniel  many  years,  shows  the  sources  of  ingenuity  pos- 
sessed by  the  latter,  whose  ministerial  career,  though  short,  was 
remarkably  successful.  The  surviving  brother,  being  himself  a 
careful  and  sound  interpreter  of  the  Scriptures,  though  he  related 
the  anecdote  with  much  pleasure,  by  no  means  recommended  a 
licentious  freedom  in  spiritualizing  the  Divine  Word.  During  a 
public  meeting,  two  preachers  were  appointed  to  preach  to  the 
same  congregation  on  the  same  evening,  the  last  of  whom  was 
Daniel  Fristoe.  It  so  happened  that  the  first  preacher  delivered 
a  tedious  and  uninteresting  discourse.  Daniel  perceived  that  the 
congregation  were  weary,  and  was  sensible  that  his  labor  would 
be  in  a  great  measure  lost,  unless  he  could,  by  some  expedient, 
rouse  and  fix  their  attention.  He  therefore,  upon  rising,  pro- 
posed to  dismiss  the  congregation,  that  the  weary  might  retire, 

4* 


42  DANIEL  FRISTOE. 

suggesting,  at  tlie  same  time,  that  if  there  were  any  who  felt 
themselves  sufficiently  free  from  fatigue  to  remain,  he  would 
address  them  after  the  others  had  withdrawn.  He  moreover  pro- 
IDOsed,  for  the  satisfaction  of  those  who  might  go,  to  tell  them 
the  text  from  which  he  designed  to  speak ;  and,  accordingly, 
opening  the  book  of  Judges,  he  read  a  portion  respecting  Samp- 
son and  the  foxes.  He  then  paused  for  the  congregation  to  re- 
tire, but  in  vain,  for  the  hearers  were  riveted  to  their  seats,  and 
were  all  attentive  to  hear  what  could  be  said  about  Sampson  and 
the  foxes.  A  rigid  expounder  of  Scripture,  such  as  William 
Fristoe  was,  would  have  perceived  very  little  gospel  in  this  his- 
torical narrative ;  but  the  inventive  genius  of  Daniel  was  at  no 
loss  to  find  occasion  for  discourse  concerning  his  Saviour.  Under 
the  figure  of  Sampson  the  strong,  he  exhibited  Him  who  is  the 
power  of  God  ;  and  he  pointed  out  parallel  circumstances  in  their 
birth,  their  exploits,  and  their  victories  at  death.  Under  the 
figure  of  the  foxes,  he  portrayed  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  wild 
by  nature,  but  tamed  and  brought  into  the  service  of  the  Re- 
deemer by  his  invincible  power,  and  sent  forth,  two  and  two,  with 
the  craftiness  of  foxes,  though  with  the  harmlessness  of  doves. 
From  the  tying  of  the  foxes  to  each  other,  he  inferred  the  agree- 
ment and  affection  that  should  subsist  between  gospel  ministers. 
The  fire-brands  between  their  tails,  the  burnt  harvest  of  the 
Philistines,  and  their  consequent  starving  poverty,  were,  to  the 
lively  imagination  of  the  preacher,  instructive  emblems  of  the 
terrors  of  the  law,  with  which  Christ's  ministers  are  armed,  the 
destruction  of  a  sinner's  self-righteous  hopes,  and  the  miserable 
poverty  to  which  he  is  reduced,  when  he  is  brought  at  length  to 
lie  a  helpless  suppliant  at  the  Redeemer's  feet.  This  exposition 
was  followed  by  a  most  animated  exhortation.  'No  man  slept ; 
but  the  hearts  of  many  were  moved,  and  God  blessed  the  truth 
which  was  brought  to  view  in  this  extraordinary  and  ingenious 
discourse." 

His  ministerial  career  was  brief.  Having  been  appointed  a 
messenger  from  Ketockton  to  the  Philadelphia  Association,  he 
was,  while  in  the  last-named  city,  seized  with  the  smallpox,  from 
which  he  partially  recovered ;  but  before  he  could  return  home,  a 
relapse  terminated  his  existence.     He  died  at  Marcus  Hook,  in 


DAVID   TPIOMAS.  43 

the  thirty-j&fth  year  of  Ms  age.  His  remains  were  taken  back  to 
Philadelphia,  and  interred  in  the  burial-ground  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  He  left  to  mourn  his  loss,  a  wife  and  seven  children, 
while  his  churches  were  deprived  of  a  faithful  and  laborious 
pastor. 


DAVID    THOMAS. 


Elder  David  Thomas  was  born  at  London  Tract,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  16th,  IT 3 2.  What  the  circumstances  of  his 
parents  were,  is  not  known  ;  though  it  is  ascertained  that  when 
a  youth,  he  enjoyed  facilities  for  the  cultivation  of  his  intellectual 
powers.  He  was  educated  at  Hopewell,  'New  Jersey,  under  the 
direction  of  the  distinguished  Isaac  Eaton.  Such  were  his 
literary  attainments,  that  the  Rhode  Island  College  (now  Brown 
University)  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 

No  particulars  have  been  obtained  respecting  the  conversion 
of  Mr.  Thomas,  or  his  entrance  into  the  work  of  preaching  the 
gospel.  He  seems  to  have  commenced  his  labors  as  a  minister 
when  quite  young.  Several  excursions  to  the  State  of  Yirginia 
were  made  by  him  before  his  removal  thither,  which  took  place  in 
the  twenty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

About  a  year  previous,  he  married  Mrs.  Shreve,  of  Maryland, 
the  widow  of  Mr.  William  Shreve,  whose  descendants  were  after- 
wards prominent  in  the  history  of  .Kentucky.  This  lady  shared 
with  him  in  his  toils  and  sorrows  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  Having 
determined  to  devote  himself,  as  a  self-appointed  missionary,  in 
the  then  sparsely  settled  portions  of  Yirginia,  he  spent  eighteen 
months  or  more  in  the  County  of  Berkeley.  In  the  year  1162,  he 
visited  Fauquier  County,  became  instrumental  in  originating 
Broad  Run  Church,  and  afterwards,  on  invitation,  became  their 
pastor. 

"  The  origin  of  the  Broad  Run  Church,  and  the  manner  in 
which  Mr.  Thomas  was  introduced  among  them,  is  thus  related. 
A  short  time  previous  to  his  removal  to  Yirginia,  two  men  in  this 
region,  without  any  public  preaching,  became  much  concerned 


44  DAVID   THOMAS. 

about  tbeir  souls ;  were  convinced  of  the  reality  of  vital  religion, 
and  that  they  were  destitute  of  it.  While  laboring  under  these 
convictions,  they  heard  of  the  Baptists  (New  Lights,  as  some 
called  them,)  in  Berkeley  County,  and  traveled  about  sixty  miles 
over  a  mountainous  way,  in  search  of  them.  By  the  preaching 
and  conversation  they  were  much  enlightened  and  comforted,  and 
were  so  happy  as  to  find  what  had  hitherto  been  to  them  mys- 
terious, how  a  weary  and  heavy-laden  sinner  might  have  rest. 
The  name  of  one  of  these  men  was  Peter  Cornwell,  who  after- 
wards lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and  was  so  eminent  for  his  piety 
as  to  receive  from  his  neighbors  and  acquaintance  the  title  of  '  St. 
Peter.'  It  is  related  by  Mr.  Edwards,  'that  this  Peter  Cornwell 
induced  Edmund  Hays  (the  same  man  who  removed  from  Mary- 
land to  Yirginia  in  1743)  to  remove  and  settle  near  him,  and  that 
interviews  between  the  families  of  these  two  men  were  frequent, 
and  their  conversation  religious  and  devout ;  insomuch  that  it 
soon  began  to  be  talked  of  abroad  as  a  very  strange  thing.  Many 
came  to  see  them,  to  whom  they  related  what  God  had  done  for 
their  souls.  They  exhorted,  prayed,  read  the  Bible  and  other 
good  books,  to  the  spreading  of  seriousness  through  the  whole 
neighborhood.  Cornwell  and  his  companion  (whose  name  is  not 
mentioned)  in  a  short  time  made  a  second  visit  to  Berkeley,  and 
were  baptized ;  and  Divine  Providence  had  so  ordered  matters, 
that  in  this  visit  they  met  with  Mr.  Thomas,  whom  they  invited 
to  go  down  and  preach  among  them.  He  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  settled  with  them  as  before  related,  and  soon  became  the  in- 
strument of  diffusing  gospel  light  in  Fauquier  and  the  adjoining 
counties,  where  ignorance  and  superstition  had  long  prevailed. 

"  Mr.  Thomas  is  said  to  have  been  a  minister  of  great  distinc- 
tion in  his  day.  Besides  the  natural  endowments  of  a  vigorous 
mind,  and  the  advantage  of  a  classical  and  refined  education,  he 
had  a  melodious  and  piercing  voice,  a  pathetic  address,  expressive 
action,  and,  above  all,  a  heart  filled  with  love  to  God  and  his 
fellow-men.  During  a  few  of  the  first  years  of  his  ministry  in 
Yirginia,  he  met  with  much  persecution,  being  frequently  assaulted 
both  by  individuals  and  mobs.  Once  he  was  pulled  down  while 
he  was  preaching,  and  dragged  out  of  the  house  in  a  barbarous 
manner.     At  another  time,  a  malevolent  individual  attempted  to 


DAVID   THOMAS.  45 

shoot  him,  but  a  by-stander  wrenched  the  gun  from  him,  and 
thereby  prevented  the  execution  of  his  wicked  purpose.  The 
slanders  and  revilings  he  met  with,  says  Mr.  Edwards,  were  in- 
numerable ;  and  if  we  may  judge  of  a  man's  pre  valency  against 
the  devil,  by  the  rage  of  the  devil's  children,  Thomas  prevailed 
like  a  prince.  But  the  gospel  had  free  course  ;  and  Broad  Run 
Church,  of  which  he  was  pastor,  within  six  or  eight  years  from 
its  establishment,  branched  out  and  became  the  mother  of  five  or 
six  others.  The  Chappawamsick  Church  was  constituted  from 
Broad  Run  in  1T66. 

"Elder  Thomas  traveled  much,  and  the  fame  of  his  preaching 
drew  the  attention  of  the  people  throughout  an  extensive  circle, 
so  that,  in  many  instances,  they  came  fifty  and  sixty  miles  to  hear 
him.  It  is  remarkable,  that  about  this  time  there  were  multiplied 
instances  in  different  parts  of  Yirginia,  of  persons  who  had  never 
heard  anything  like  evangelical  preaching,  but  who  were  brought, 
through  Divine  grace,  to  see  and  feel  their  want  of  vital  godliness. 
Many  of  these  persons,  when  they  heard  of  Mr.  Thomas  and  other 
Baptist  preachers,  would  travel  great  distances  to  hear  them,  and 
to  procure  their  services,  as  ministers  of  the  gospel.  By  this 
means  the  gospel  was  first  carried  into  the  County  of  Culpepper. 
Mr.  Allen  Wyley,  a  man  of  respectable  standing  in  that  county, 
had  been  thus  turned  to  Grod,  and  not  knowing  of  any  preacher 
in  whom  he  had  confidence,  he  had  sometimes  gathered  his 
neighbors,  read  the  Scriptures,  and  exhorted  them  to  repentance ; 
but  being  informed  of  Mr.  Thomas,  he,  with  some  of  his  friends, 
traveled  to  Fauquier  to  hear  him.  As  soon  as  he  heard,  he  knew 
the  joyful  sound,  submitted  to  baptism,  and  invited  him  to  preach 
at  his  house.  He  also  preached  in  the  County  of  Orange,  and,  in 
company  with  Elder  Garrard,  carried  the  word  of  life  through  all 
the  upper  counties  of  the  Northern  Neck."* 

Elder  Thomas  ultimately  removed  to  Kentucky,  when  nearly 
threescore  and  ten  years  old.  It  was  a  sublime  spectacle  to  see 
this  aged  veteran  leaving  the  home  which  had  become  endeared 
to  him  by  a  thousand  painful  and  pleasant  recollections,  to  enter 
upon  an  untried  field,  and  this,  too,  at  a  period  of  life  when  most 

■^Extracted,  with  some  alterations,  from  Semple  and  Benedict. 


46  DAVID   THOMAS. 

men  would  deem  it  a  duty  to  retire  from  active  pursuits.  He 
removed  to  Kentucky,  too,  it  is  said,  when  the  religious  aspect 
of  things  was  far  from  encouraging.  He  entered  at  once  into 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Washington  Church.  It  is  said,  that  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Elkhorn  Association,  which  met  at  the  Great  Crossing,  shortly 
after,  being  surrounded  by  multitudes,  whose  fathers  had  heard 
him  in  the  Old  Dominion,  his  peculiarly  musical,  sonorous 
voice  sounded  out  its  inspiring  tones,  rousing  and  encouraging 
his  brethren  to  hope  for  a  special  blessing  from  the  Lord.  And 
so  it  was.  The  following  was  one  of  the  most  noted  years  in  the 
history  of  Kentucky  Baptists.  A  glorious  revival  ensued,  and 
many  trophies  of  the  Redeemer's  power  were  seen. 

As  age  increased  his  sight  failed,  and  before  his  death  he  was 
nearly  blind.  But  even  then,  he  ceased  not  his  loved  work.  Led 
into  the  place  he  had  been  accustomed  to  fill,  he  continued  to 
hold  up  the  Almighty  Saviour  as  the  one,  only  source  of  hope  to 
the  guilty.  The  following  beautiful  reference  to  a  scene  which 
transpired  just  before  his  death,  is  eloquently  pictured  by  Kev. 
S.  H.  Ford,  the  gifted  editor  of  the  "  Christian  Repository,"  of 
Louisville,  Kentucky:  — 

"Early  in  the  present  century,  a  young  man,  of  powerful  frame 
and  noble  figure,  with  face  glowing  with  new-found  hope,  crossed 
the  Kentucky  River,  near  where  Boone  once  encamped  alone, 
through  the  winter,  and  following  the  windings  of  Hickman  Creek, 
he  urged  his  horse  along  the  narrow,  broken  path.  He  was  then 
some  twenty-six  years  of  age.  He  had  just  beheld,  by  faith's 
pure  vision,  God's  harvest-field  on  earth ;  and  his  great  heart 
thrilled  to  the  deep  tones  of  Christ's  commission — 'Go  ye  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel.' 

"  The  youth  was  Jeremiah  Vardeman.  Down  in  his  soul  were 
great,  solemn  thoughts ;  over  that  soul  rolled  glorious  visions. 
In  enthusiastic  fervor  he  was  making  a  kind  of  pilgrimage  to  a 
lone  hermit,  one  of  the  last,  and  holiest,  and  greatest  of  an  age 
•of  trial  and  of  triumphant  heroism. 

"Near  the  close  of  the  day,  as  the  autumn  evening  with  its 
solemn  splendors  breathed  its  voiceless  hymn  of  praise,  the  youth, 
with  his  soul  filled  with  unutterable  thoughts,  sat  by  the  open 


DAVID    THOMAS.  47 

window  in  an  old  log-house,  beside  an  aged  man.  He  was  past 
Ms  fourscore  years,  and  had  long  been  entirely  blind.  He  had 
preached  the  Sabbath  just  preceding,  and  had  risen  feebly  from 
his  pallet  to  welcome  the  stranger  who  had  called  on  him.  Let  us 
look  at  the  old  man  a  moment.  In  youth  he  must  hare  been  over 
medium  height.  He  now  bends,  yet  gracefully,  beneath  the 
weight  of  years.  His  brow  is  broad  and  contemplative.  His 
mouth  is  large,  but  beautifully  chiseled.  The  rest  of  his  features 
are  open  and  full  of  character ;  while  his  whole  face  has  the  mild, 
sweet  aspect  of  a  loving  heart ;  and  age,  with  its  defacings,  leaves 
no  tracks  of  storm-passions  or  harrowing  remorse.  Intelligence 
still  beams  out,  though  the  windows  of  the  soul  are  closed.  The 
scholar,  the  thinker,  the  man  of  energy  and  of  power,  are  seen 
still  in  their  partial  eclipse.  The  light  of  a  soul  full  of  deathless 
faith  and  mantled  in  holy  love,  lingers  there  with  a  radiance  more 
soft  and  beautiful  than  that  autumn  twilight.  ,  And  the  long, 
gray  locks,  which  fell  disparting  from  his  temples  down  upon  his 
shoulders,  seemed  to  crown  him  with  a  halo  of  patriarchal  glory. 
This  was  David  Thomas,  a  Christian  hero,  whose  memory  will 
live  forever.  The  meeting  of  two  such  men,  and  the  object  of  it, 
are  worth  the  record,  are  worth  the  thinking  of.  They  were 
neither  of  them  ordinary  spirits.  Both  men  of  strong  faith — 
that  essential  element  of  all  greatness.  The  one  was  on  the 
threshold  of  his  life-battle,  in  youth's  strong  vigor,  ardent,  intent ; 
ready  for  the  onset,  conscious  of  strength  divine,  and  certain  of 
victory — a  real  man,  who  believed  the  gospel  had  power  in  it. 
The  other  retired  from  the  battle-field,  his  fight  finished ;  whose 
life  had  been  one  of  dauntless,  aggressive,  uncompromising  valor ; 
who  had  fought  the  good  fight,  not  of  shows,  and  management, 
and  respectability,  and  popularity,  but  the  fight  0^  faith — and 
had  been  blessed,  oh  I  as  few  men  living  had  been. 

"  They  met  in  the  old  log  house  for  the  first  time.  The  old  man 
spoke  little  of  himself  or  his  labors.  The  future  of  the  youth  was 
the  theme.  The  hour  of  parting  came.  Yardeman  knelt  beside 
the  old  man's  chair,  while  the  patriarch  prayed.  '  Such  a  prayer,' 
has  Vardeman  often  said,  '  I  never  heard  from  mortal  lips  ! — "  God 
bless  him,  and  may  he  be  blessed," '  and  his  trembling  hand  was 
laid  on  the  bowed  head  of  the  youth.  The  young  man  went  on 
in  his  glorious  work.     His  life  has  been  given." 


48  JOSEPH  ANTHONY. 

It  will  not  be  doing  full  justice  to  the  memory  of  this  great  and 
good  man,  if  we  omit  to  name  the  fact  that,  during  the  .struggle 
for  religious  liberty  through  which  the  Baptists  passed  in  their 
earlier  history,  David  Thomas  exercised  a  most  commanding 
influence.  He  wrote,  and  plead  in  his  numerous  appeals  to  listen- 
ing crowds,  for  a  total  non-interference  by  goyernment  with 
religious  matters.  One  of  his  pleas  for  liberty  was  written  in 
poetry.     The  following  is  a  quotation  : — 

"  'Tis  all  one  voice,  they  all  agree, 
'  God  made  us,  and  we  must  be  free.' 
Freedom  we  crave,  with  every  breath, 
An  equal  freedom,  or  a  death. 
The  heav'nly  blessing  freely  give. 
Or  make  an  act  we  shall  not  live. 
Tax  all  things :  water,  air,  and  light, 
If  need  there  be ;  yea,  tax  the  niffht  ; 
But  let  our  brave,  heroic  minds 
Move  freely  as  celestial  winds. 
Make  vice  and  folly  feel  your  rod. 
But  leave  our  consciences  to  God." 

Elder  Thomas  was  suddenly  called  to  his  heavenly  home.  He 
had  sought  a  brief  repose  upon  his  couch,  and  gently  sinking 
into  a  soft,  sweet  slumber,  he  woke  no  more  on  earth.  Blessed 
rest !     The  rest  of  the  holy  is  his. 


JOSEPH  ANTHONY. 


This  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  was  among  the  early  fruits 
of  the  preaching  of  Elders  Reed  and  Harriss,  in  the  County  of 
Groochland.  He  was  baptized  by  J.  Waller,  in  one  of  his  journeys 
through  that  region,  and  united  with  the  Dover  Church.  He  had 
previously  improved  every  opportunity  of  exhorting  his  fellow- 
men,  and  immediately  on  his  connection  with  the  church,  he  de- 
voted himself  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  Nor  was  his 
labor  vain.  Wherever  he  went,  the  Lord  was  with  him,  giving- 
him  many  seals  to  his  ministry.     For  a  time  he  was  actively  en  ' 


JOSEPH  ANTHONY.  49 

gaged  with  Mr.  Webber  in  the  County  of  Chesterfield ;  and  was 
successful  in  the  constitution  of  two  or  three  churches.  After- 
wards he  became  an  associate  with  Elder  Elijah  Baker,  in  the 
counties  between  Richmond  and  Hampton.  He  finally  removed 
to  the  western  part  of  this  State,  and  became  the  pastor  of  Otter 
and  Burton's  Creek  Churches,  in  the  Strawberry  Association.  In 
these  churches  he  was  useful.  Many  were,  through  his  means, 
introduced  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  After  his  settlement  in 
the  County  of  Henry,  his  efforts  were  more  confined  than  formerly, 
but  he  was  not  less  diligent.  In  the  Strawberry  Association,  he 
was  always  considered  a  judicious  and  active  man.  When  the 
Mayo  Association  was  formed,  he  was  chosen  their  Moderator, 
and  continued  in  this  office  until  his  death. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  he  suffered  much  from  the 
opposition  of  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  He  was  among 
those  who  were  immured  in  the  jail  of  Chesterfield  in  17tO-71. 
He  however  maintained  his  steadfastness,  and  continued,  with  all 
boldness,  to  declare  the  whole  council  of  Grod.  Such  was  the 
power  of  his  ministry  while  in  jail,  as  he  lifted  up  his  voice  and 
proclaimed  Christ  to  the  crowds  without,  that  it  was  judged  the 
best  policy  to  dismiss  him.  The  jailor  was  directed  to  shut  the 
door  of  his  cell,  but  to  leave  it  unlocked,  that  it  might  be  reported 
he  had  fled  from  prison.  Mr.  Anthony  chose  to  continue.  The 
door  was  then  left  open — still  he  remained.  He  was  then  per- 
suaded, with  his  fellow-prisoner,  to  escape.  But  he  replied, 
"they  have  taken  us  openly,  uncondemned,  and  have  cast  us  into 
prison ;  and  now,  do  they  cast  us  out  privily  ?  Nay,  verily ;  but 
let  them  come  themselves  and  fetch  us  out." 

Mr.  Anthony's  talents  were  not  above  mediocrity.  Pew,  how- 
ever, of  all  who  have  labored  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  in 
Yirginia,  have  been  more  unwearied  than  he,  or  more  successful. 
What  tended  more  than  all  to  his  usefulness,  was  his  fervid  piety. 
He  loved  his  Master,  and  cheerfally  counted  all  things  but  loss, 
that  he  might  extend  his  kingdom  and  glory.  In  all  his  inter- 
course with  his  fellow-men,  he  manifested  a  lively  concern  for 
their  salvation,  and  it  is  said  that  he  almost  invariably  made  it  a 
practice  to  converse  affectionately  with  them,  warning  them  to 
escape  the  wrath  to  come. 

VOL.  I. — D  5 


50  JOHN  WEATHERFORD. 


JOHN    WEATHERFORD. 

Although  this  servant  of  the  Redeemer  has  but  recently  gone 
the  way  of  all  the  earth,  he  was  born  nearly  a  century  ago,  perhaps 
about  the  year  IHO.  The  place  of  his  nativity  was  Charlotte 
County.  His  parents  were  poor,  though  respectable.  They 
were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  his  father 
sustaining  the  office  of  Elder  in  the  Church  over  which  Mr.  David 
Rice,  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  minister,  presided.  Nothing 
worthy  of  notice  occurred  in  his  childish  years,  except  that  he 
was  remarkable  for  the  sprightliness  of  his  disposition. 

He  does  not  appear  to  have  been  attentive  to  his  soul's  interests, 
until  he  was  awakened  by  hearing  a  discourse  delivered  by  Elder 
S.  Harriss.  This  produced  serious  reflection.  The  more  he 
prosecuted  his  inquiries,  the  more  numerous  and  aggravated  his 
sins  appeared.  He  represents  himself  as  having  long  struggled 
against  the  New  Testament  plan  of  salvation.  He  sought,  by 
good  works,  to  recommend  himself  to  God,  but  all  his  efforts 
failed.  He  found  himself,  on  every  hand,  defective,  and  pursued 
by  a  fiery  law  which  cried  for  vengeance.  Strange  it  is  that  men, 
whose  whole  lives  have  been  a  series  of  rebellion  against  the 
Divine  Majesty,  and  who,  in  their  best  attempts  at  reformation, 
are  still  unholy,  should  so  strongly  incline  to  seek  justification  by 
their  own  merits.  But  thus  it  is.  The  enmity  of  the  carnal  heart 
exhibits  itself  by  continual  endeavors  to  palliate  sin,  and  to  resist 
the  righteousness  of  God.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  persisted 
in  exertions  to  make  himself  worthy,  until,  in  despair,  he  fled  to 
Christ.  Here  he  found  I'elief.  His  burden  was  removed.  The 
eyes  of  his  understanding  being  enlightened,  he  saw  that  God 
could  be  just,  and  yet  justify  the  sinner  who  believes  in  Jesus. 
Now  there  was  peace  with  God  through  a  Mediator.  He  could 
now  glory  only  in  the  cross. 

It  has  been  stated,  that  his  seriousness  was  occasioned  by 
hearing  a  sermon  from  Elder  Harriss.  At  this  time  the  Baptists 
had  not  excited  much  attention.  Indeed  they  were  but  little 
known.     When  Mr.  W.   became  a  converted   man,  he   had  not 


JOHN   WEATHERFORD.  51 

thought  of  the  distinction  which  existed  between  the  Presbyterians 
and  the  Baptists.  In  reading  the  ISTew  Testament  he  was  sur- 
prised to  find  so  many  passages  apparently  favoring  the  practice 
of  the  latter.  As  he  himself  said,  he  was  almost  ready  to  think 
he  had  found  a  spurious  copy.  He  endeavored,  however,  to 
satisfy  himself  by  banishing  the  subject  from  his  mind  ;  but  it  was 
all  in  vain.  He  then  sought  from  his  father  such  an  explanation 
as  might  enable  him  to  join  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Here  also 
he  failed.  With  the  confidence  of  having  his  scruples  removed, 
as  his  last  alternative,  he  sought  an  interview  with  Mr.  Rice. 
This  conversation  proved  more  satisfactory.  But  in  re-perusing 
the  Scriptures,  all  his  difficulties  returned.  A  second  time  be 
conversed  with  the  minister,  but  without  being  convinced  of  the 
exclusive  scriptural  propriety  of  believers'  baptism.  Finding  his 
young  friend  rather  disposed  to  contest  the  subject,  Mr.  Rice  said 
to  him,  "  I  perceive  you  will  be  a  Baptist ;  go,  and  the  Lord  be 
with  you."  His  sincerity  was  now  brought  to  the  test.  He  had 
been  taught  to  regard  the  practice  of  the  Pedobaptists  as  correct. 
His  family  and  friends  belonged  to  that  party.  The  Baptists 
were  few,  poor,  and  despised.  They  were  suffering  much  on 
account  of  their  distinctive  tenets.  If  he  should  unite  with  them, 
he  must  expect  to  pass  through  fiery  tribulation.  But  no  con- 
ference was  held  with  flesh  and  blood.  As  soon  as  he  became 
thoroughly  convinced  of  his  duty,  he  at  once  obeyed  his  Lord,  by 
being  buried  with  him  in  baptism.  This  was  before  he  had 
reached  his  twentieth  year. 

Prom  the  time  of  his  conversion,  he  manifested  a  peculiar  con- 
cern for  the  welfare  of  immortal  souls.  Though  young,  he 
determined  to  commence  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
father's  residence.  This  he  conducted  with  much  propriety  and 
success.  The  neighbors  were  astonished  at  the  holy  boldness  of 
this  young  disciple  ;  and  believing  he  was  influenced  by  benevolent 
motives,  encouraged  him  to  persevere.  He  soon  began  to  preach. 
It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  he  received  much  approbation  in  his 
labors  from  other  denominations,  although  he  was  himself  a  warm 
and  decided  Baptist. 

The  entrance  of  Elder  W.  into  the  ministry  must  have  occurred 
about  the  year  1*^61.    He  became  at  once  a  zealous  and  successful 


52  JOHN   WEATHERFORD. 

herald  of  the  cross.  He  not  only  preached  in  his  native  county, 
but  traveled  much,  especially  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 
As  he  was  among  the  earliest  Baptist  ministers  of  Virginia,  it 
was  his  honor  to  suffer  persecution  for  the  sake  of  Christ. 
iSTaturally,  he  was  a  man  of  courage,  but  it  was  the  promise,  "  Lo, 
I  am  with  you  alway,"  that  enabled  him  to  meet  the  coming 
storm.  Trusting  in  the  Lord,  he  feared  no  evil.  ISTeither  stripes 
nor  imprisonment  deterred  him  from  the  performance  of  duty.  The 
rulers  of  the  Episcopal  Church  were  much  vexed  at  the  success 
of  Mr.  "W.  "Wherever  he  went,  his  ministry  was  attended  by 
crowds,  and  many  were  converted  through  his  instrumentality. 
It  was  a  source  of  great  mortification  that  a  plain  man,  without 
any  pretensions  to  learning,  should  so  far  obtain  the  confidence 
of  the  people.  Various  measures  were  adopted  to  silence  him 
and  his  fellow-laborers.  But  they  preferred  obedience  to  God 
rather  than  man,  even  at  the  expense  of  liberty  and  life.  Having 
gone  down  as  far  as  Chesterfield,  preaching  the  good  news  of 
salvation,  he  was  arrested  by  Col.  Cary,  and  thrown  into  prison. 
He  was  in  confinement  five  months.  During  this  incarceration, 
he  enjoyed  much  of  the  Divine  presence.  And,  as  it  was  with 
the  Apostle,  his  trials  only  promoted  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 
He  continued  to  exercise  a  powerful  influence  in  the  county. 
Says  the  brother  who  communicated  these  facts:  "His  courage 
forsook  him  not.  The  love  of  Christ  constrained  him.  He 
preached  at  the  door  of  the  prison  as  long  as  allowed  the  privi- 
lege ;  when  refused  that,  he  preached  through  the  grates  of  the 
window.  But  such  determined  opposition  did  he  meet,  that  an 
effort  was  made  by  his  enemies  to  put  a  stop  to  that  also.  For 
this  purpose  they  built  an  outer  wall,  or  fence,  above  the  grate ; 
but  Weatherford  devised  means  to  overcome  the  obstacle.  A 
handkerchief,  by  the  congregation,  was  to  be  raised  on  a  pole, 
above  the  wall,  as  a  signal  that  the  people  were  ready  to  hear. 
His  voice  being  very  strong,  he  could  throw  it  beyond  these 
impediments,  and  convey  the  words  of  life  and  salvation  to  the 
listening  crowd.  Before  his  release,  some  souls  were  blessed,  and 
he  was  owned  as  the  honored  instrument  in  their  conversion. 
During  this  imprisonment  a  circumstance  occurred,  which  we  beg 
leave  to  record.     Of  those  who  felt  that  they  had  experienced  th* 


JOHN  WEATHERFORD.  53 

renovating  influence  of  Divine  grace,  nine  wished  to  follow  their 
Master,  by  being  buried  in  baptism.  He  sent  to  his  native 
county  for  Elder  Williams  to  come  down  to  perform  the  ordi- 
nance, but  he  shrunk  from  the  dangerous  undertaking.  He  then 
remembered  that  Elder  Chastain,  of  Buckingham,  was,  as  he 
thought,  of  a  truer  stamp,  and  sent  for  him.  He  came,  and  in 
the  night,  or  perhaps  about  twilight,  these  persons  were  baptized. 

"By  the  kindness  of  Patrick  Henry  (of  whom  he  never  spoke 
but  with  a  glow  of  affection)  he  obtained  the  prison  bounds,  and 
by  his  further  aid,  was  ultimately  liberated. " 

This  imprisonment  of  Elder  W.  occurred  in  the  year  1113. 
After  his  liberation  he  returned  home,  to  labor  with  still  greater 
efficiency  in  his  Master's  cause.  The  vindictive  spirit  manifested 
by  the  enemies  of  the  cross  only  served  to  increase,  in  his  own 
heart,  the  impression  of  responsibility  to  Christ.  There  was  felt, 
too,  more  deeply,  the  necessity  of  bringing  gospel  influences  to 
bear  upon  the  depraved  passions  of  men.  He  saw  that  submis- 
sion to  the  peaceful  reign  of  Messiah  alone  would  control  these 
passions  and  make  the  world  what  it  ought  to  be.  And  espe- 
cially was  it  known  by  him  that  this  gospel  was  the  power  of 
Grod,  and  the  wisdom  of  God  unto  salvation.  He  could  not, 
therefore,  but  speak  the  truth.  The  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ 
must  be  declared. 

How  far  he  was  successful  in  the  constitution  of  new  churches, 
is  not  known  by  the  biographer.  N^or  has  it  been  ascertained 
whether,  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  he  presided  over  any  of 
the  churches.  He  was  then  mostly  engaged  as  an  evangelist. 
Near  the  close  of  the  last  century,  he  became  pastor  of  Cub  Creek 
Church,  in  Charlotte,  and  Lower  Fallings,  of  Campbell  County. 
Mr.  Semple  states,  in  his  history,  that  these  churches  prospered 
under  his  ministry. 

In  1813,  he  removed  to  the  County  of  Halifax,  and  in  1823 
to  Pittsylvania,  where  he  closed  his  days.  For  several  years 
before  his  death,  he  became  too  infirm  to  travel  far  from  home, 
but  frequently  preached  in  his  own  neighborhood.  His  interest 
in  Divine  things  never  diminished.  The  great  truths  on  which, 
during  a  long  ministry,  he  delighted  to  dwell,  were  still  the  joy 
of  his  heart.     During  his  last  sickness,  he  frequently  referred  to 

5* 


54  JOHN  WEATHERFORD. 

the   astonishing   love   of  God  to  poor  sinners.     Every  day  he 
requested  the  beautiful  lines  of  Newton  to  be  sung  : — 

"Amazing  grace,  how  sweet  the  sound,"  etc. 

Those  present  would  be  called  to  his  bedside,  that  he  might  speak 
to  them  of  the  loving  kindness  of  the  Lord.  Sometimes  he  would 
^shout  the  Divine  praises  aloud.  His  faith,  to  the  last,  was 
unwavering.  He  died  at  the  house  of  Mr.  JSTowlen,  on  the  23d 
of  January,  1833,  being  more  than  ninety  years  of  age. 

This  venerable  servant  of  Jesus  Christ  was  distinguished  for 
the  length  of  time  he  was  employed  in  his  Master's  cause. 
Between  seventy  and  eighty  years  did  he  preach  a  crucified 
Saviour,  and  recommend  him  to  the  lost  and  guilty.  He  was 
willing  to  suffer,  and  he  did  suffer  much,  for  the  sake  of  Christ. 
His  temporal  circumstances  were  far  from  being  comfortable. 
With  a  large  family,  having  had  fifteen  children,  twelve  of  whom 
were  daughters,  he  often  found  it  diflBcult  to  obtain  for  them  the 
necessaries  of  life.  He  is  another  of  those  painful  instances  of 
laborious  effort  in  preaching  the  gospel  without  receiving  a 
competent  support.  With  many  of  his  brethren,  he  had  labored 
to  pull  down  a  religious  establishment,  which  had  been  sustained 
by  a  graceless  and  salaried  ministry.  But  while  the  churches 
rejoiced  in  the  demolition  of  a  system  so  pernicious,  they  allowed 
themselves  to  build  up  another,  equally  abhorrent  and  dangerous. 
They  saw  men  making  the  ministerial  office  a  mere  sinecure,  and 
loudly  condemned;  but  they  forgot  that  the  faithful  .laborer  is 
worthy  of  his  hire.  The  delusion  of  those  they  opposed  did  not 
consist  in  liberally  supporting  their  ministers,  but  in  obtaining 
the  support  by  compulsory  measures.  While  they  should  have 
resisted  all  civil  or  national  interference  in  religious  matters, 
attention  ought  to  have  been  paid  to  the  maintenance  of  their 
pastors,  by  liberal  voluntary  contributions.  In  consequence  of 
this  omission.  Elder  W.  was  often  compelled  either  to  neglect  the 
ministry  and  labor  on  his  farm,  or  allow  his  family  to  suffer. 

"He  was  himself  a  man  of  generous  heart,  and  sometimes 
suffered  temporarily  by  excessive  liberality.  Though  he  was  of 
large,  majestic  stature,  he  was  remarkable  for  the  tenderness  of 
his  spirit.     He  possessed  the  softness  of  a  little  child.     He  was 


JOHN   WEATHERFORD.  55 

true  to  his  trust,  which  he  ever  kept  inviolate,  though  sometimes 
at  a  heavy  loss.  These  last  remarks  may  be  illustrated  by  the 
followiug  circumstance,  which  he  would  relate  with  the  most 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  kindness  of  his  benefactors. 
There  lived  by  him  a  man -in  embarrassed  circumstances,  whose 
wagon  and  team,  his  main  support,  were  stopped  by  the  sheriff, 
just  starting  to  Richmond.  Though  Weatherford  had  no  confi- 
dence in  the  man,  yet  sympathy  for  the  family  prompted  him  to 
be  bail.  The  man  failed  to  fulfill  his  engagements,  upon  which 
Weatherford's  only  horse  was  taken,  in  a  busy  season,  and  left 
with  him  to  produce  on  the  day  of  sale.  He  carried  it,  knowing 
his  crop  must  be  lost,  if  his  horse  was  sold.  But  on  his  arrival, 
and  the  case  being  known,  Colonel  Watkii^s,  a  county  man, 
but  not  a  neighbor,  addressed  the  company:  'Gentlemen,  this 
worthy  and  industrious  minister  must  not  lose  his  horse  by  the 
treachery  of  one  whom  he  relieved.  We  should  not  suffer  it. 
Come  to  this  table,  and  show  your  sympathy  for  suffering  inno- 
cence.' So  saying,  he  put  down  a  five-dollar  bill  on  the  table, 
and  called  on  the  company  to  follow.  The  amount  was  soon 
made  up,  and  Mr.  Weatherford  rode  home  to  finish  his  crop." 

In  the  pulpit,  Elder  Weatherford's  manner  was  interesting. 
Though  he  did  not  exhibit  the  attractive  graces  of  oratory,  he 
commended  the  truth,  in  its  simplicity,  to  the  consciences  of  men. 
He  was  a  diligent  reader  of  the  Scriptures,  and  an  able  expositor. 
"Sometimes,"  says  one  who  knew  him  well,  "he  would  almost 
electrify  his  congregations  by  the  originality  and  ingenuity  of  his 
thoughts.  On  a  certain  occasion  he  was  proving  that  Christ  was 
the  Messiah,  and  remarked,  '  Even  the  devils  knew  him,  but  he 
suffered  them  not  to  testify ;  they  shall  not  be  witnesses  now ;  as 
my  Lord  would  not  allow  them  then,  I  will  pass  them  by  as  He 
did,  but  tell  you  as  I  pass,  why  he  did  not  admit  their  testimony. 
It  makes  against  any  man's  cause  to  produce  questionable 
evidence,  and  these  were  perjured  witnesses.'" 

In  sentiment  he  was  Calvinistic.  He  heartily  approved  of  all 
efforts  which  were  likely  to  be  productive  of  good.  He  was 
heard  to  say,  "although  I  believe  in  salvation  by  grace,  yet 
antinomianism,  the  perversion  of  this  precious  truth,  which  leads 
to  fold  hands  and  wait  Grod's   time,   comes  directly  from   the 


66     .  REUBEN   FORD. 

infernal  pit,  and  will  carry  you  there."  "His  soul  would  kindle 
with  holy  joy,"  says  a  Christian  brother,  "when  in  his  sickness  I 
would  read  of  Judson,  and  other  missionaries ;  the  effects  of 
Sabbath-schools,  of  Bible  and  tract  societies.  He  was  in  favor 
of  any  plan  that  might  spread  the  savor  of  the  Redeemer's  name, 
and  meliorate  the  condition  of  his  fellow-creatures. 


REUBEN    FORD. 


For  half  a  century,  Elder  Reuben  Ford  was  known  as  an 
active  and  useful  minister  of  the  gospel  among  the  Baptists  of 
Virginia.  He  commenced  his  labors  in  those  times  which  "tried 
men's  souls,"  and  then  he  was  an  able  and  fearless  defender  of 
the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  He  was  allowed  also  to  reach  that 
period  when  the  fires  of  persecution  had  ceased  to  burn,  and  to 
behold  the  Redeemer's  empire  extending  itself  throughout  the 
whole  State  of  Yirginia. 

Elder  Ford  was  born  about  the  year  1742.  No  information 
has  been  obtained  concerning  his  early  history.  In  the  twentieth 
year  of  his  age,  under  the  preaching  of  George  Whitefield,  he 
became  convinced  of  his  lost  condition  as  a  sinner,  and  fled  for 
refuge,  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before  him  in  the  gospel.  He 
was  not  baptized  until  about  seven  years  after,  when,  having 
heard  Elders  Read  and  Harriss  preach,  he  publicly  put  on  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  became  attached  to  the  Baptist  Church.  Pre- 
viously, however,  he  had  frequently  addressed  his  fellow-men, 
calling  on  them  to  escape  the  wrath  to  come.  After  his  baptism, 
having  been  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  became  a 
most  active  laborer,  in  declaring  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
In  the  County  of  Goochland,  especially,  were  his  efforts  success- 
ful. A  large  number  were  introduced  into  the  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God;  and  in  the  year  1Y71,  the  Goochland  Church 
was  constituted,  with  about,  seventy-five  members.  This  was 
among  the  earliest  Baptist  churches  of  the  State  of  Yirginia. 
Elder  Ford  became  their  pastor.     Such  was  the  success  of  his 


REUBEN   rORl>.  f  57 

ministrations,  that  this  church  greatly  increased  in  numbers  and 
efficiency.  In  the  year  1*799,  a  season  of  refreshing,  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord,  was  enjoyed,  during  which  one  hundred 
and  twenty  were  added.  Another  revival,  confined  mostly  in  its 
effects  to  the  colored  people,  was  realized  in  1806.  Thus,  from 
time  to  time,  did  the  Lord  attend  his  efforts  with  tokens  of  ap- 
probation. In  1713,  several  members  were,  by  letter,  dismissed 
from  the  Goochland  Church,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  another 
in  an  adjoining  neighborhood,  which  was  called  by  the  name  of 
Dover.  At  several  periods  other  colonies  were  sent  out,  viz., 
Chicahominy,  in  1T76;  Licking  Hole,  in  the  same  year;  and 
Hopeful,  in  180t.  Many  ministers,  also,  were  called  out  into  the 
field,  from  the  Goochland  Church. 

During  a  great  part  of  his  ministry.  Elder  Ford  had  the  charge 
of  three  or  four  churches ;  in  addition  to  this,  he  frequently  ex- 
tended his  labors  into  other  neighborhoods.  He  took  a  leading 
part  in  all  the  efforts  of  the  denomination.  Por  more  than  thirty 
years,  in  succession,  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Dover  Associa- 
tion. On  various  occasions  he  belonged  to  important  committees, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  present  to  the  legislature  the  views  of  the 
Baptists  concerning  the  grievances- which,  for  a  series  of  years, 
had  been  imposed  by  the  establishment. 

Perhaps  no  man  was  more  universally  respected  and  beloved. 
Though  his  talents,  as  a  preacher,  were  not  brilliant,  yet  his  sim- 
plicity, affection,  and  faithfulness,  obtained  the  attention  of  all 
who  heard  him.  The  blamelessness  of  his  life  tended  much  to 
increase  his  usefulness,  and  throughout  all  the  circle  of  his  in- 
fluence he  enjoyed,  in  no  common  degree,  the  confidence  of  the 
people.  All  believed  him  to  be  a  Christian,  because  they  saw  in 
the  uniformity  of  his  life  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  The  following 
testimony,  from  Semple's  History  of  the  Virginia  Baptists,  is  now 
valuable,  although  it  may  be  doubted  whether  it  is  most  judicious 
so  highly  to  eulogize  any  living  minister ;  it  was  written  several 
year  before  Elder  Ford's  death. 

"Mr.  Ford  is  now  about  sixty-eight  years  of  age,  and  is  a 
venerable  man  indeed.  Few  men  ever  deceived  less  by  their 
physiognomy  than  Elder  Ford.  'No  man  sees  him  who  does  not 
view  him  with  reverence  at  his  first  appearance,  and  no  man  ever 


58  REUBEN  FORD. 

was  dissappointed  in  him.  G-rave,  witliout  the  least  moroseness  ; 
cheerful,  without  a  symptom  of  levity ;  modest,  gentle,  and 
affectionate  in  his  manners,  yet  firm  in  his  purposes ;  he  has 
everything,  out  of  the  pulpit,  which  might  serve  as  a  model  of  a 
gospel  minister ;  his  life  is  truly  spotless ;  his  talents  are  of  the 
useful  kind ;  in  his  doctrine  he  is  somewhat  tinctured  with  Armi- 
iiianism." 

^  A  very  strong  attachment  to  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was 
cherished  by  the  churches  over  which  he  presided.  It  could  not 
be  otherwise.  As  their  bishop,  he  manifested  peculiar  tenderness 
and  concern  for  their  spiritual  prosperity.  He  was  not  satisfied, 
unless  their  fruitfulness  abounded. 

"Purity,  in  principles  and  practice,  (he  at  one  time  remarks,) 
renders  a  church  amiable  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  comely  in  the 
sight  of  the  world  ;  thereby  is  God  glorified,  and  by  this  heavenly 
light  are  sinners  brought  over  and  made  to  embrace  the  holy 
gospel  of  the  blessed  Jesus.  As  sound  principles  and  a  whole- 
some discipline  reflect  honor  upon  the  holy  author  of  our  religion, 
they  have  also  a  tendency  to  promote  the  peace  of  the  churches." 

Respecting  the  duty  of  the  pastor  and  deacon,  he  thus  speaks  : 
"A  gospel  church,  suitably  organized,  will  have  its  minister  and 
deacons.  There  are  relative  duties  these  owe  to  each  other,  which 
are  too  much  neglected.  It  is  the  minister's  duty  diligently  to 
preach  the  word,  administer  the  ordinances  of  Christ,  to  take  care 
of,  watch  over,-and  feed  the  flock  of  God.  The  deacon's  duty  is 
to  serve  the  church  in  temporal  matters,  providing  the  elements 
for  the  Lord's  table,  and  to  stir  up  the  members  of  the  church  to 
their  duty,  in  making  contribution  for  all  necessary  expenses,  par- 
ticularly for  the  relief  of  the  poor  members  and  the  support  of 
their  minister." 

Some  years  previous  to  the  death  of  this  venerable  servant  of 
the  Redeemer,  considerable  efforts  were  made  by  the  Baptists  to 
spread  among  the  heathen  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  To 
some  extent,  these  efforts  were  opposed  by  him.  But  their  results 
excited  his  surprise,  and  for  several  months  before  he  left  this 
world  he  professed  to  be  thoroughly  convinced  of  their  propriety. 
A  worthy  deacon  of  one  of  his  churches,  now  living,  has  frequently 
heard  him  express  his  deep  regret  at  the  unfounded  prejudices  he 


RICHARD    MAJOR.  59 

indulged  against  the  missionary  cause.  He  even  went  so  far  as 
to  say,  that  he  believed  the  Lord  had  afflicted  him  on  account  of 
the  opposition  he  had  manifested. 

For  many  months  he  was  confined  to  his  house  most  of  the 
time.  The  infirmities  of  age  continuing  to  increase,  he  was  at 
length  unable  to  ride,  as  usual,  to  the  house  of  God.  He  would 
then  frequently  prevail  on  his  fi'iends  to  take  him  thither,  and, 
supported  in  the  pulpit  by  his  brethren,  he  would,  to  the  extent 
of  his  ability,  exhort  the  church  to  continue  in  well-doing.  Thus 
he  closed  his  life. 


RICHARD    MAJOR. 

According  to  the  testimony  afforded  by  Elder  William  Pristoe, 
in  his  history  of  the  Ketockton  Association,  Richard  Major  was 
a  most  excellent  and  useful  minister  of  the  last  century.  He  was 
born  near  Pennsbury,  Pennyslvania,  in  the  year  IT 22,  and  was 
educated  under  the  influence  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  When 
quite  a  youth,  his  mind  was  frequently  disturbed  by  painful  ap- 
prehensions of  the  wrath  to  come.  The  gayeties  of  life  were 
sought  as  a  refuge  to  shield  him  from  the  remonstrances  of 
conscience  and  the  denunciations  of  the  Divine  Word.  JSTo 
permanent  satisfaction,  from  this  source,  was  obtained,  for  the 
consciousness"  of  guilt  and  danger  still  oppressed  him.  After- 
wards, he  endeavored  to  satisfy  himself  by  the  indulgence  of 
skeptical  views.  Serious  doubts  concerning  the  plan  of  mercy 
revealed  in  the  gospel  were  entertained.  The  sport  of  conflicting- 
thoughts  and  emotions,  he  was  driven  from  one  source  to  another, 
until  every  unrighteous  hope  failed,  and  he  fled  to  the  cross  of 
Christ  for  consolation.  Here  relief  was  found.  The  clamors  of 
conscience  were  hushed  to  silence  ;  all  perplexing  doubts  and  fears 
were  removed,  and  his  soul  made  happy  in  believing.  For  some 
time  after  his  conversion,  he  was  a  regular  communicant  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He,  however,  became  convinced  of  his 
guilt,  in  neglecting  the  important  institution  of  baptism,  and  de- 
termined to  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  his  Master  into  the 
watery  tomb.     He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Steele,  of  New 


60  RICHARD   MAJOR. 

Jersey,  in  the  year  1764.  Two  years  after  liis  immersion,  lie  re- 
moved to  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  settled  in  the  County  of 
Loudon.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  the  devotion  of  his  life 
to  the  ministry  were  peculiar.  Having  been  called  to  lead  in 
social  meetings,  he  adopted  the  plan  of  reading  printed  sermons 
to  the  people  ;  serious  impressions  were,  in  this  way,  made  on  the 
minds  of  many,  and  they  were  induced  to  procure  the  books  and 
read  for  themselves.  While  engaged  in  reading,  he  would 
frequently  leave  the  author,  and  break  out  in  most  earnest  and 
affectionate  exhortations.  By  degrees  he  laid  aside  the  printed 
sermons,  and  with  the  Bible  as  his  text-book,  began  to  teach  his 
fellow-men  the  way  of  salvation.  His  example,  in  this  respect, 
is  worthy  of  imitation.  How  much  good  might  be  effected,  if 
deacons  and  private  members  of  our  churches  were  more  active 
in  conducting  prayer-meetings,  and  reading  well-selected  dis- 
courses, or  the  Word  of  Grod,  to  the  people  !  There  is  scarcely  a 
congregation  of  believers  in  which  some  individuals  may  not  be 
found  who  are  qualified  for  services  of  this  kind.  Indeed,  there 
is  reason  to  believe,  that  there  are  many  in  our  land  remaining 
inactive,  whose  duty  it  is  to  go  forth  as  the  heralds  of  salvation. 
The  course  now  suggested  would  afford  an  opportunity  for  the 
development  of  those  dormant  gifts  which  a  church  may  possess, 
and  result  in  vast  good  to  the  people  at  large. 

In  1168,  he  was  ordained  as  the  pastor  of  Little  River  Church. 
Reference  to  his  success,  while  he  sustained  this  relation,  is  found 
in  Semple's  History  of  the  Virginia  Baptists.  It  is  there 
stated  that  Little  River  Church  was  formed  of  individuals  who 
had  been  converted  under  the  ministry  of  D.  Thomas.  It  is 
then  added,  "  In  this  work,  however,  he  was  powerfully  aided  by 
Rev.  Richard  Major,  their  first  pastor ;  for  although  the  first  seed 
was  sown  by  Mr.  Thomas,  yet  Mr.  Major  watered  and  nourished 
the  plants,  until  he  brought-them  to  perfection.  So  rapidly  did 
the  gospel  spread,  in  this  church,  that  just  two  years  after  they 
were  constituted,  they  were  the  most  numerous  church  in  the 
association,  having  two  hundred  and  seventy-two  members.  Her 
branches,  however,  extended  into  the  neighboring  parts.  When 
any  of  these  branches  became  sufficiently  numerous,  they  were 
constituted  into  new  churches,  by  which  the  mother  church  was 


RICHARD   MAJOR.  61 

reduced  in  numbers.  During  Mr.  Major's  life,  they  were  a  happy 
and  united  people,  greatly  attached  to  their  minister.  After  his 
death,  they  were  without  any  regular  pastor  for  some  years." 

In  regard  to  his  influence  in  another  church,  called  Bull  Run, 
Elder  Semple  states,  "When  the  gospel  was  carried  here  by  the 
amiable  Richard  Major,  a  great  revival  of  religion  arose,  so  that 
in  a  little  time  a  church  was  constituted,  having  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  members.  From  the  constitution  of  new  churches, 
etc.  their  number  had  become  somewhat  reduced,  until,  about 
1792,  they  had  the  smiles  of  heaven,  and  large  additions  were 
made.  Not  many  less  than  a  hundred  were  baptized ;  by  which 
this  church  rose  to  higher  prosperity  than  she  had  ever  previously 
enjoyed."  In  addition  to  his  pastoral  labor,  he  performed  much 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord  as  an  itinerant.  Six  or  eight  churches 
were  originated  principally  through  his  instrumentality. 

There  were  two  particulars  in  which  this  ma,n  of  God  excelled 
— an  affectionate  spirit,  and  habits  of  indefatigable  industry. 
Such  was  the  urbanity  of  his  manners,  that  all  who  knew  were 
compelled  to  love  him.  In  this  consisted  much  of  the  secret  of 
his  usefulness.  The  law  of  love  being  deeply  impressed  upon  his 
heart,  he  was  kind  in  all  his  reproofs  and  warnings,  and  with 
peculiar  earnestness  recommended  to  his  dying  fellow-men,  Christ, 
as  able  and  willing  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  that  came  to  him. 
In  this  respect,  he  closely  imitated  his  Lord  and  Master.  Where- 
ever  he  went,  he  seemed  intent  on  doing  good.  He  was  most 
assiduous  in  performing  what  he  knew  to  be  duty.  With  an  iron 
constitution,  he  was  able  to  endure  the  severest  hardships,  and 
always  seemed  most  happy  when  he  could  be  useful  to  his  fellow- 
men.  His  journeys  were  frequent  and  extensive.  His  vigorous 
powers  of  mind  and  body  were  thus  faithfully  devoted  to  Him 
whom  his  soul  loved.  "  So  much  was  he  esteemed  in  the  latter 
part  of  his  life,  that  he  had  serious  apprehensions  that  he  must 
be  too  much  at  ease  for  a  gospel  minister ;  or,  in  other  words,  it 
seemed  as  if  the  expression,  'woe  he  unto  you  when  all  men 
speak  well  of  you,''  applied  to  his  case.  In  the  midst  of  these 
thoughts,  he  accidentally  heard  a  man  lay  to  his  charge  one  of 
the  most  abominable  crimes.  At  first  he  felt  irritated ;  but,  re- 
collecting his  previous  reflections,  he  was  soon  reconciled." 

VOL.  I.  6 


G2  RICHARD  MAJOR. 

Elder  Major  did  not  pass  through  his  ministerial  career  with- 
out suffering  some  of  the  persecutions  which,  in  his  time,  were 
heaped  upon  the  lovers  of  Jesus.  From  Edwards  and  Semple 
the  following  paragraphs  are  selected,  in  which  a  few  particulars 
are  given  respecting  the  rude  treatment  he  received  from  the 
enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ."  "In  Fauquier  County,  the 
officer  with  a  warrant  from  Capt.  Scott,  attempted  to  take  him, 
but  providentially  failed.  At  Bull  E-un  there  were  warrants 
against  him,  and  a  mob,  with  clubs,  rose  to  assist  the  execution 
of  them ;  but  here  again  they  failed  of  their  design,  chiefly  by 
means  of  the  Davises,  usually  called  the  giants;  those  stout  bro- 
thers had  been  prevailed  on  to  oppose  him ;  but  after  they  had 
heard  him  preach,  they  became  well  affected  toward  him,  and 
threatened  to  chatise  any  that  should  disturb  him.  In  Fauquier, 
the  mob  were  very  outrageous,  but  did  no  mischief,  though  his 
friends  feared  they  would  have  pulled  him  to  pieces. 

"A  certain  man,  whose  wife  had  been  baptized  by  Mr.  Major, 
determined  to  kill  him  on  sight,  and  went  to  meeting  for  that 
purpose.  He  sat  down  in  hearing,  intending  to  catch  at  some 
obnoxious  expression  which  might  fall  from  the  preacher,  and 
under  that  pretence,  to  attack  him.  But  God  produced  a  different 
result ;  for  the  man,  instead  of  executing  his  design,  became  so 
convicted  that  he  could  not  keep  on  his  feet ;  and  was  afterwards 
baptized  by  the  man  he  intended  to  murder.  Another  actually 
attacked  him  with  a  club,  in  a  violent  manner.  Mr.  Major, 
being  remarkable  for  great  presence  of  mind,  turned  to  him, 
and,  in  a  solemn  manner,  said,  '  Satan,  I  command  thee  to  come 
out  of  the  man.'  His  club  immediately  began  to  fall,  and 
the  lion  became  as  quiet  as  a  lamb.  These  are  a  few  of  the 
many  occurrences  of  this  kind,  that  took  place  in  the  long  life  of 
this  valuable  man." 

Concerning  the  close  of  his  highly  useful  life,  Elder  Semple 
thus  writes  :  "  For  ten  or  twelve  years  before  his  death,  his  sturdy 
constitution  began  to  fail.  He  was  attacked  by  a  very  painful 
disease,  and,  to  gain  relief,  he  went  to  the  medicinal  springs. 
From  the  water  he  could  get  no  relief,  but,  by  apparent  accident, 
was  informed  of  a  remedy,  which,  upon  trial,  he  found  very 
effectual.     This  gave  him  respite  for  several  years.     But,  being 


JOHN   MEG  LAM  ARE,  63 

attacked  by  the  same  disease'  again,  after  a  tedious  and  painful 
illness  he  finished  his  course,  at  about  fourscore  years  of  age. 
He  has  doubtless  found  a  bright  mansion  in  his  Father's 
kingdom," 


JOHN    MEGLAMARE. 

As  it  is  nearly  forty  years  since  the  subject  of  this  biography 
was  removed  from  his  earthly  labors,  but  few  persons  are  to  be 
found  who  have  any  distinct  recollection  of  facts,  such  as  would 
furnish  an  extended  record  of  his  life.  In  justice,  however,  to 
him  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  it  would  not  be  proper  to  allow  such 
memorials  as  do  exist,  to  perish.  He  was  born  on  the  7th  of  June, 
1730,  in  one  of  the  jSTorthern  States.  It  is  not  known  whether 
he  was  under  the  tuition  of  pious  parents,  or  how  far  the  circum- 
stances of  his  early  life  were  favorable  to  the  origination  of  serious 
thought.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  ascertained  that  he  was  not 
altogether  unconcerned  on  the  subject  of  religion,  when  quite  a 
youth.  Previous  to  his  conversion,  he  had  removed  to  Halifax 
County,  North  Carolina.  Here,  he  became  acquainted  with  God's 
method  of  salvation,  and  joined  the  Kehukee  Church,  under  the 
care  of  Elder  Thomas  Pope.  This  was  in  the  thirty-fourth  year 
of  his  age. 

His  labors  in  the  ministry  commenced  shortly  after  his  connec- 
tion with  the  church.  While  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel  in 
his  own  county,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  afilict  the  church,  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  by  the  removal  of  their  pastor.  Elder 
Meglamare  was  called  to  succeed  him,  and  continued  to  fill  the 
pastoral  office  in  the  Kehukee  Church  until  the  year  1T72.  The 
following  were  the  circumstances  which  led  to  his  resignation  : — 

In  1770,  during  one  of  his  preaching  excursions  in  Sassex 
County,  Virginia,  such  indications  of  Divine  approbation  were 
given,  that  he  was  encouraged  to  make  stated  appointments  ;  and 
for  several  months  continued  to  visit  that  people,  preaching 
mostly  in  private  houses.  A  most  interesting  state  of  religious 
feeling  throughout  the   neighborhood   was   the    result.     Many 


64  JOHN  MEGLAMAEE. 

became  the  subjects  of  the  Prince  of  peace,  and  were  baptized 
by  Elder  Meglamare,  among  whom  was  Mr.  James  Bell,  a  man 
of  much  influence  in  the  county,  and  afterwards  a  useful  minister 
of  the  gospel.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of  the  people,  and  removed  to 
Sussex.  Shortly  after,  a  church,  consisting  of  eighty-seven 
members,  was  constituted  on  Raccoon  Swamp,  and  he  was 
chosen  to  be  their  under-shepherd.  In  this  station  he  was  emi- 
nently useful.  The  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily  such  as 
should  be  saved.  He  was  not,  however,  satisfied  with  feeding 
the  flock  of  God,  but  traveled  extensively  through  the  adjacent 
counties.  The  churches  of  Mill  Swamp,  Black  Creek,  Seacock, 
and  High  Hills,  were  brought  into  existence  chiefly  through  his 
instrumentality.  Until  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  he 
continued  a  most  diligent  and  persevering  laborer  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord.  Yv^hen,  in  consequence  of  age  and  enfeebled  health, 
he  found  himself  unable  to  prosecute  the  duties  of  his  office,  he 
resigned  the  care  of  Raccoon  Swamp  Church  to  Elder  Browne, 
who  was  unanimously  chosen  his  successor. 

During  the  whole  of  his  ministry.  Elder  Meglamare  was  held  in 
high  reputation.  This  is  indicated  by  the  fact,  that  for  more  than 
twenty  years  before  the  division  of  the  Kehukee  Association,  he 
was  invariably  called  to  the  chair  at  their  annual  meetings.  He 
was  one  of  those  who  assisted  in  the  formation  of  that  body,  and 
contributed  not  a  little  in  stemming  the  tide  of  error  which,  in 
that  early  day,  was  beginning  to  flow  in  upon  the  churches.  By 
his  wisdom  and  firmness,  in  a  great  degree,  were  the  disciples 
brought  into  harmonious  co-operation.  In  the  year  It 91,  the 
Portsmouth  Association  was  formed.  As  long  as  he  lived,  and 
was  able  to  attend  the  yearly  meetings,  he  was  always  elected  to 
preside  over  its  deliberations.  As  a  disciplinarian  in  the  church, 
and  a  guide  in  associational  bodies,  he  was  very  useful. 

It  has  been  stated  that  some  time  before  his  death  he  was 
compelled  to  relinquish  his  pastoral  relation.  This  was  occasioned 
by  the  most  distressing  asthmatic  complaint,  which  continued 
until  December  13th,  1*199,  when  his  Master  dismissed  him  from 
the  toils  of  this  life,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age.  "  Precious 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints." 


ELIJAH   CRAIG.  '^'s' 


ELIJAH    CEAIG. 

The  earliest  information  which  has  been  obtained  respecting 
Elijah  Craig,  is  connected  with  his  conversion,  about  the  year 
1764.  Having  heard  Elder  David  Thomas  preach,  he  was 
arrested  in  his  indifference  to  Divine  things,  and,  for  a  length  of 
time,  was  much  alarmed,  in  the  consciousness  of  his  fallen  and 
helpless  condition.  ,  At  length  his  mind  became  somewhat  re- 
lieved, though  not  satisfied.  In  1165,  he  found  an  opportunity 
of  hearing  Samuel  Harriss,  and  such  was  the  coincidence  between 
his  own  views  and  feelings  and  the  delineation  of  gospel  truth 
drawn  by  Elder  Harriss,  that  he  became  perfectly  satisfied,  and 
rejoiced  in  the  freedom  wherewith  Christ  had  made  him  free.  He 
began,  at  once,  to  exhort  his  fellow-men,  whenever  he  could 
collect  them  in  his  neighborhood.  Says  Mr.  Semple :  "  His 
tobacco-house  was  their  chapel.  Being  most  of  them  laboring 
men,  they  used  to  labor  all  day,  and  hold  meetings  almost  every 
night  at  each  other's  houses,  and  on  Sundays  at  the  above- 
mentioned  tobacco-house.  By  these  little  prayer  and  exhortation 
meetings,  great  numbers  were  awakened,  and  several  converted." 

In  a  short  time  he  began,  amid  much  persecution,  to  extend 
his  exertions,  and  to  preach  wherever  he  went,  that  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  In  these  exercises  he  was 
accompanied  by  several  others,  who  were  of  a  kindred  spirit. 
The  Lord  wrought  by  them,  and  attended  their  efforts,  by  his 
signal  smile.  In  the  Cojjnty  of  Culpepper,  he  met  with  much 
opposition.  One  of  the  exhibitions  of  violence,  on  the  part  of 
his  enemies,  is  thus  referred  to  by  Elder  Semple.  "  They  sent  the 
sheriff  and  posse  after  him,  when  at  his  plough.  He  was  taken 
and  carried  before  three  magistrates  of  Culpepper.  They,  with- 
out hearing  arguments,  pro  or  con.,  ordered  him  to  jail.  At 
court,  he,  with  others,  was  arraigned.  One  of  the  lawyers  told 
the  court  they  had  better  discharge  them ;  for  that  oppressing 
them  would  rather  advance  than  retard  them.  He  said  they 
were  like  a  bed  of  camomile,  the  more  they  were  trodden,  the 
more  they  would  spread.     The  court  thought  otherwise,  and  de- 

VOL.  I.— E  6* 


66-  ELIJAH  CRAIG. 

termined  to  imprison  them.  Some  of  the  court  were  of  opinion 
that  they  ought  to  be  confined  in  a  close  dungeon,  but  the 
majority  were  for  giving  them  the  bounds.  Mr.  Craig  says 
'they  were  fed  on  rye  bread  and  water,  to  the  injury  of  their 
health.'  After  staying  there  one  month,  preaching  to  all  who 
came,  he  gave  bond  for  good  behavior,  and  came  out.  He  was 
also  confined  in  Orange  jail,  at  another  time." 

Mr.  Craig  was  considered  a  man  of  considerable  talent.  jS'o 
doubt  can  be  entertained  that  what  he  did  possess,  he  employed 
well.  With  a  zeal  which  the  floods  of  persecution  could  not 
quench,  he  prosecuted  his  Master's  work,  and  was  made  a  blessing 
to  many.  In  his  labors,  as  pastor  of  Blue  Run  Church,  he  was 
very  successful.     It  became  a  large  and  flourishing  body. 

In  the  year  1186,  he  removed  to  Kentucky.  There  he  un- 
hajDpily  became  implicated  in  some  personal  altercation,  which 
resulted  in  his  exclusion  from  the  church.  He  was,  however,  re- 
stored, and  continued  in  fellowship  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  the  year  1808.  He  seemed,  by  this  and  other  circum- 
stances, to  have  given  away,  in  his  declining  age,  to  a  censorious 
temper.  It  is  said  by  Mr.  Semple,  that  "in  a  pamphlet  he  pub- 
lished, he  undertakes  to  prove  that  stationed  preachers,  or  pas- 
tors of  churches,  are  precluded  by  the  Scriptures  from  receiving 
any  compensation  for  their  services.  In  this  pamphlet,  he  takes 
so  many  opportunities  to  condemn  preachers  for  being  money 
seekers,  that  it  would  seem  the  main  design  of  the  publication 
was  to  indulge  a  fault-finding  temper." 

The  following  testimony  by  one  who  knew  him  well  will  close 
this  article  :  "  Elijah  Craig  was  considered  the  greatest  j)reacher 
of  the  three  brothers  ;  and  in  a  very  large  association  in  Virginia, 
Elijah  Craig  was  among  the  most  popular  for  a  number  of  years. 
His  preaching  was  of  the  most  solemn  style — his  appearance  as  a 
man  who  had  just  come  from  the  dead,  of  a  delicate  habit,  a  thin 
visage,  large  eyes  and  mouth,  of  great  readiness  of  speech,  the 
sweet  melody  of  his  voice,  both  to  preach  and  sing,  bore  all  down 
before  it ;  and  when  his  voice  was  extended  it  was  like  the  loud 
sound  of  a  trumpet.  The  great  fervor  of  his  preaching  commonly 
brought  many  tears  from  the  hearers,  and  many  no  doubt  were 
turned  to  the  Lord  by  his  preaching.     He  was  several  times  a 


JOHN  PICKET.  67 

prisoner  of  the  Lord  for  preaching.  He  moved  to  Kentucky  at 
a  later  date  than  his  brothers  ;  his  turn  for  speculation  did  him 
harm  every  way  ;  he  was  not  as  great  a  peacemaker  in  the  church 
as  his  brother  Lewis,  and  that  brought  trouble  on  him  :  but  from 
all  his  troubles  he  was  relieved  by  death,  when  perhaps  he  did 
not  much  exceed  sixty  years  of  age,  after  serving  in  the  ministry, 
say  forty  years." 


JOHIS^   PICKET.* 

Mr.  Picket  was  born  in  King  George  County,  January  14th 
IHi,  of  respectable  parentage.  He  had,  when  grown  to  the 
years  of  maturity,  a  very  strong  propensity  to  gaming,  and  sports 
of  every  kind.  He  followed  the  business  of  a  dancing-master ; 
and  probably,  with  a  view  to  obtain  employment,  as  well  as  to 
indulge  his  propensity  for  sport,  he  went,  about  the  year  1164,  or 
1165,  to  Pee  Dee,  in  ISTorth  Carolina.  God  intended  this  tour 
for  a  very  different  purpose.  "While  there,  he  attended  a  meeting 
of  Joseph  Murphy's,  one  of  the  earliest  Baptist  preachers  in 
those  parts.  Murphy  spoke  a  word,  in  season,  to  this  prodigal. 
He  came  to  himself  He  began  to  loathe  the  sports  and  pleasures 
to  which  he  had  been  devoted.  He  went  to  his  Father,  and  was 
feasted  with  the  fatted  calf  and  clothed  with  the  best  robe.  He 
was  ba]Dtized  by  J.  Murphy  in  1166.  Soon  as  he  felt  the  smiles 
of  his  Heavenly  Father,  he  wrote  to  his  earthly  parents,  in  Fau- 
quier, informing  them  of  this  marvelous  change.  To  them,  it 
was  strange  indeed,  that  this,  their  lost  son,  should  become  so 
fervently  pious,  while  their  other  sons,  that  they  had  always  with 
them,  continued  to  be  the  same.  This  letter  produced  great 
alarm  in  the  family,  and  some  good  effects.  Mr.  Picket  continued 
in  North  Carolina  for  some  time,  being  unwilling  to  leave  the 
society  of  those  to  whom  he  was  united  by  ties  stronger  than 
death.  He  did  not  return  to  Fauquier  until  after  the  death  of 
his   father,  in    1161.     When  he  came,  finding   his   friends  and 

*  By  Elder  R.  B.  Semple, 


68  JOHN  PICKET. 

neighbors  irreligious,  he  began  to  warn  them,  commencing  first 
with  private  conversation  and  exhortation,  then  with  family  wor- 
ship. Those  exertions  being  crowned  with  success,  many  being 
convicted  and  some  converted,  he  began  to  preach.  Mr.  Picket 
then  procured  a  visit  from  Mr.  Murphy,  who  came  to  Fauquier, 
and  baptized  a  few.  The  work  spread  far  and  near.  Mr.  Picket 
being  fervent  in  spirit  and  thus  encouraged,  held  not  his  peace 
day  nor  night,  but  proclaimed  boldly  the  things  of  God.  In  the 
fall  of  1168,  Messrs.  Harriss  and  Read  came  and  baptized  thirty- 
seven  more,  and  constituted  them  into  a  church,  November  12th, 
1168,  under  the  name  of  Carter's  Run.  Mr.  Picket  was  or- 
dained, and  took  the  care  of  this  church,  May  21th,  1112.  His 
zeal  and  activity  could  not  pass  unnoticed  by  the  enemies  of  the 
cross.  The  mob  broke  into  the  meeting-house  and  split  to 
pieces  the  pulpit  and  table,  while  the  magistrates  issued  their 
warrant,  and,  seizing  Mr.  Picket,  thrust  him  into  Pauquier 
prison.  There  he  continued  for  about  three  months,  preaching 
through  the  grates,  and  admonishing  as  many  as  came  to  him,  to 
repent  and  turn  to  God.  The  Word  of  God  was  not  bound. 
Great  numbers  were  awakened  under  his  prison  labors.  This 
took  place  about  1160.  When  he  was  turned  out  of  prison  he  in- 
creased his  zeal,  and  extended  his  labors  to  Culpepper  and  over 
the  Blue  Ridge,  where  he  was  so  successful  that,  on  the  first 
baptizing  that  was  supposed  ever  to  have  taken  place  in  Shenan- 
doah, as  many  as  fifty  were  baptized.  He  was  never  wearied  in 
well-doing,  but  continued  steadfast  to  the  end.  We  will  now 
close  our  account  of  him  in  the  words  of  the  manuscript,  furnished 
by  one  of  the  members  of  his  own  church: — 

"  He  was  sound  in  faith,  calling  on  sinners  to  repent,  not  sparing 
himself,  but  giving  his  labors  to  the  Lord,  and  to  his  fellow-men. 
Toward  his  latter  days,  his  zeal  for  the  good  of  souls  seemed  to 
increase.  About  June,  1803,  he  told  his  wife  that  his  work  was 
finished,  tenderly  beseeching  her  and  his  children  to  serve  the 
Lord,  and  so  fell  asleep." 

Well  might  the  unrighteous,  but  enlightened  prophet,  wish  to 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous  ! 


WILLIAM  FRISTOE.  -©9 


WILLIAM    miSTOB. 

Being  one  of  those  who  stood  up  in  defence  of  the  truth,  amid 
fiery  persecutions,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was,  while  he  lived, 
the  object  of  veneration  and  regard  among  his  brethren  in  Christ. 
It  is  due  to  him,  and  the  cause  he  advocated,  to  preserve  a 
memorial  of  his  character,  sufferings,  and  toils.  As  far  as  he 
followed  his  Master,  others  may  be  stimulated,  by  his  example,  to 
do  good,  and  glorify  God.  Such  records  may  not  only  prove  an 
incentive  to  practical  holiness,  but  teach  many  valuable  lessons 
concerning  the  Divine  government,  both  in  providence  and  redemp- 
tion. In  the  history  of  the  church,  the  arm  of  the  Lord  is 
revealed  ;  we  behold  its  power  in  defending  those  who  put  their 
trust  in  him.  Though  the  wicked  may  rage,  taking  counsel 
together  against  the  Lord  and  his  anointed,  yet  we  see  their 
purposes  frustrated,  and  all  their  plans  overturned.  He  who 
sitteth  in  the  heavens,  laughs  at  them ;  the  Lord  holds  them  in 
derision. 

William  Fristoe  was  a  native  of  Stafford  County,  Virginia.  By 
one  of  his  surviving  and  most  intimate  friends,  he  is  said  to  have 
been  born  in  the  year  1'742.  His  parents  were  respectable,  but  in 
moderate  circumstances.  His  education  was  limited,  he  being,  when 
grown,  only  able  to  read  and  write.  He  grew  up  without  the 
opportunity  of  hearing  the  gospel,  as  it  was  seldom,  if  ever,  in 
its  purity  preached  in  his  native  county.  His  parents  belonged 
to  the  established  church,  though  they  do  not  seem  to  have  been 
pious  persons.  He  has  said,  that  when  five  years  old,  he  was 
sensible  that  he  was  a  sinner  against  God ;  and  his  greatest  concern 
was  how  he  should  obtain  forgiveness  and  meet  with  acceptance. 
In  his  fourteenth  or  fifteenth  year  he  was  watching  with  a  sick 
and  dying  man,  in  company  with  one  who  was  raised  a  Scotch 
Presbyterian.  In  the  course  of  the  night,  this  person,  having 
allusion  to  the  sick  man,  cried  out,  "  God  be  merciful  to  him  for 
Christ's  sake."  Elder  Fristoe  was  sensibly  struck  with  the  ex- 
pression, as  being  something  which  he  had  never  heard  before 
mentioned ;  and  the  constant  inquiry  with  him,  from  that  time. 


10  WILLIAM  PRISTOE. 

was,  how  God  could,  consistently  with  Ms  justice  and  the  purity 
of  his  nature,  have  mercy  on  a  sinner  for  the  sake  of,  or  on  account 
of,  another  ?  He  continued  in  this  distressed  situation,  until  he 
heard  the  gospel  preached  by  what  was  called  the  New  Lights,  when 
his  mind  became  relieved  and  happy  in  Christ  Jesus.  Not  long 
after,  he  made  an  open  profession,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
David  Thomas,  who  had  been  instrumental  in  raising  up  and  con- 
stituting Chapawamsick  Church.  This  took  place  when  he  was 
about  twenty  or  twenty-one  years  of  age.  The  church  soon  dis- 
covered that  he  possessed  promising  gifts,  and  requested  him  to 
preach.  The  performance  was  so  pleasing  to  the  brethren,  that 
it  was  not  very  long  before  he  was  ordained,  and  obtained  a  license 
from  the  then  legal  authority,  the  Episcopal  bishop,  and  was 
called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church. 

In  his  twenty-first  year  he  entered  upon  this  responsible  work 
with  a  zeal  and  perseverance  becoming  its  vast  importance.  Having 
felt  the  value  of  atoning  blood,  he  everywhere  made  known  its 
eflBcacy,  and  recommended  it  to  the  guilty.  The  Lord  was  with 
him,  giving  seals  to  his  ministry.  In  conjunction  with  two  or 
three  other  laborers,  he  was  the  honored  means  of  leading  into 
the  church,  with  which  he  was  united,  a  large  number  of  believers. 
But  he  did  not  confine  his  ministry  to  this  part  of  the  Lord's 
vineyard.  He  traveled  extensively,  and  was  instrumental  in 
forming  several  new  churches.  Some  of  these  were  regularly 
attended  by  him,  though  at  great  inconvenience  to  himself  He 
was  in  the  habit,  with  his  brother  Elder  Daniel  Fristoe,  of  attend- 
ing every  month  the  Buckmarsh  Church,  Frederick  County,  a 
distance  of  seventy  miles  from  his  own  residence.  He  also  regu- 
larly visited  a  church  in  Fauquier,  called  Thumb  Run,  about  forty 
miles  distant.  In  referring  to  these  heavy  labors,  he  remarks* 
"Neither  winter's  frost  nor  summer's  heat  is  to  be  dreaded;  the 
frowns  of  men  and  rage  of  devils  must  be  borne  when  the  object 
is  the  winning  a  bride  for  and  the  espousing  of  souls  to  Christ." 

Besides  traveling  extensively.  Elder  Fristoe  at  different  times 
supplied  several  churches  regularly ;  among  others,  Chapawam- 
sick, Brentown,  Hartwood,  Grove,  and  Rockhill.  In  January, 
1781,  he  took  charge  of  Broad  Run  Church,  Fauquier  County. 
When  he  removed  to  the  County  of  Shenandoah   he  resigned 


WILLIAM  FRISTOE.  *  71 

them  all,  excepting  Broad  Kun,  whicli  he  attended  until  the  year 
before  his  death.  After  his  settlement  in  Shenandoah,  he  took 
charge  of  Ebenezer,  Buckmarsh,  Bethel,  Zion,  and  Salem,  in  their 
destitution,  and  gave  them  up  one  after  another  as  soon  as  pastors 
could  be  obtained.  To  the  end  of  life  he  was  animated  by  the 
noble  resolution  to  spread  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  even  amid 
contempt  and  persecution.  Although  he  was  poor,  and  had  an 
expensive  family  dependent  on  him  for  support,  he  still  gave  him- 
self to  this  great  work.  He  has  been  known,  on  returning  from 
a  tour  of  preaching,  to  work  for  several  days,  and  most  of  the 
night  by  fire-light,  in  mauling  rails  and  preparing  his  ground  for 
receiving  the  crop. 

The  church  called  Chapawamsick,  in  Stafford,  with  which  Elder 
Pristoe  first  connected  himself,  was  one  of  the  oldest  of  the 
Ketockton  Association.  In  reference  to  the  additions  this  church 
received  and  their  subsequent  history,  Mr.  Semple  thus  speaks  : 
"  So  rapidly  did  the  word  increase  among  them,  that  in  1110, 
three  years  after  their  constitution,  they  had  one  hundred  and 
seventy-six  members.  And  the  following  year,  after  dismissing 
thirty-six  members  to  form  the  Potomac  Church,  they  had  re- 
maining two  hundred  and  twelve.  The  next  year,  dismissing 
ninety-seven  at  once  to  form  Brentown  Church,  they  were  reduced 
to  one  hundred  and  sixteen.  From  this  period,  Chapawamsick 
gradually  declined  for  many  years.  William  Fristoe  had  fallen 
into  Potomac  and  Daniel  into  Brentown,  so  that  the  mother 
church  was  rather  destitute.  About  1186,  William  Fristoe 
returned  and  continued  among  them  for  many  years.  In  the 
great  revival  about  1191  and  1192,  this  church  arose  from  the 
dust  and  put  on  her  garments  of  praise.  Her  number,  from  being 
very  small,  increased  to  nearly  a  hundred." 

The  Ketockton  Association  was  the  first  formed  in  Virginia. 
The  following  incident,  referred  to  by  Mr.  Fristoe,  and,  after  his 
death,  narrated  by  a  Christian  brother,  will  illustrate  the  humble 
piety  and  fervent  zeal  of  those  times.     The  narrator  states  : — 

"In  the  year  1166,  when  the  first  association  in  Virginia  was 
organized,  among  the  persons  assembled  on  the  occasion  were 
the  Fristoes,  Daniel  and  William,  who  afterwards  made  so  dis- 
tinguished a  figure  in  the  history  of  the  Virginia  Baptists,  and 


72  WILLIAM   FRISTOE 

who  were  at  that  time  young  disciples.  William  Fristoe,  who 
entered  into  his  rest  but  a  few  months  ago,  relates  an  anecdote 
that  illustrates  the  spirit  of  those  times.  The  meeting  above 
mentioned  was  held  at  Ketockton  Meeting-house,  Loudon  County, 
about  sixty  miles  from  Chapawamsick,  the  residence  of  the 
Fristoes.  Notwithstanding  this  distance,  they  remained  at  the 
meeting  until  the  afternoon  of  the  day  preceding  that  on  which 
they  judged  it  necessary  for  them  to  be  at  home.  To  reconcile 
the  claims  of  business  with  those  of  religion,  they  resolved  to 
travel  the  whole  of  the  intervening  night ;  and,  accordingly,  a 
company  of  them  set  out,  cheering  the  darkness  and  wearisome- 
ness  of  the  way  with  animated  talk  of  the  love  of  Jesus.  About 
the  middle  of  the  night,  when  they  were  also  near  the  middle  of 
their  journey,  one  of  their  number,  older  than  the  rest,  was  about 
to  be  parted  from  them  because  his  home  lay  in  a  different  direc- 
tion. At  his  proposal  they  alighted  from  their  horses,  and 
having  tied  them  to  the  boughs  of  the  trees,  they  gathered  into  a 
group  in  the  midst  of  the  spreading  forest ;  and  kneeling  upon 
the  ground  they  poured  forth  the  overflowings  of  their  hearts  in 
devout  prayer  to  Him  who  saw  and  heard  amidst  the  shades  of 
night  and  the  solitude  of  the  wood.  When  at  the  call  of  the 
aged  disciple  they  had  all  prayed  in  succession,  he  arose  and  laid 
his  hands  upon  their  heads,  encouraged  them,  gave  them  his  part- 
ing blessing,  and  bade  them  press  on  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord. 
Having  received  his  benediction,  the  young  disciples  pursued  their 
journey  and  reached  their  homes  just  as  the  sun  had  commenced 
his  way  through  the  sky." 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  soon  after  his  ordination  occupied 
an  extensive  influence  among  the  churches.  Elder  Semple  states 
that  some  of  the  most  eminent  preachers  in  Yirginia  owned  him 
as  their  spiritual  father.  Lunsford,  Mason,  and  Hickerson,  with 
several  others,  received  the  tidings  of  peace  from  his  lips.  It  was 
thus  natural  that  he  should  enjoy  the  affections  of  many.  But 
the  high  stand  which  he  occupied  in  an  early  period  of  his  minis- 
terial  career  was  principally  gained  by  his  intelligence  and  dis- 
cretion. For  his  prudence,  he  was  remarkable.  At  the  meeting 
of  the  Ketockton  Association  in  1114,  when  a  number  of  senior 
ministers  were  present,  and  he  only  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of 


WILLIAM   FPvISTOE.  "^3 

his  age,  he  was  elected  to  preside  over  their  deliberations.  The 
chair  was  most  generally  occupied  by  him,  especially  in  the  latter 
part  of  his  life. 

Some  allusion  has  been  made  to  his  success  in  winning  souls  to 
Christ,  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry.  It  may  be  remarked, 
that  nature  had  furnished  him  with  powers  to  command  attention 
as  a  speaker.  "In  the  pulpit,"  says  Mr.  Semple,  though  not 
versed  in  the  learning  of  the  schools,  he  displayed  abilities  which 
many  doctors  of  divinity  have  not  attained.  His  language, 
though  plain,  was  strong  and  nervous.  His  manner  was  solemn, 
as  one  having  authority."  His  talents  and  addresses  were  highly 
polemical,  and  at  times  there  was  an  apparent  severity  in  his 
allusions  to  the  sentiments  of  others.  As  a  disputant  he  was 
able — few  being  qualified  to  compete  with  him  in  argument.  His 
religious  views  were  strongly  Calvinistic.  There  was  probably 
too  much  disposition  in  all  his  discourses  to  dwell  on  what  are 
called  the  higher  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  Human  nature  is  prone 
to  extremes.  While  good  works  are  essential  as  evidences  of 
Christian  character,  it  is  possible  they  may  be  allowed  to  occupy 
an  improper  place  in  the  system  of  religious  truth  ;  men  may 
place  an  undue  reliance  on  them,  and  thus  fail  to  give  God  all 
the  glory  of  their  salvation.  Or,  not  attributing  any  merit  to 
their  own  works,  they  may  fail  sufficiently  to  hold  up  Christ,  and 
Him  crucified,  as  the  way  to  heaven.  Practical  religion  is  often 
urged  by  the  preacher  without  due  reference  to  doctrinal  truth. 
And  so  with  regard  to  the  opposite  extreme.  God's  eternal  and 
discriminating  love  is  clearly  revealed  in  the  Bible,  and  constitutes 
one  of  its  most  precious  doctrines.  Salvation  is  of  grace.  From 
first  to-last,  in  the  great  scheme  of  redemption,  God  alone  is 
entitled  to  praise.  But  the  grace  of  God  may  be  turned  into 
licentiousness.  And  even  among  godly  men,  who  would  spurn 
the  idea  of  encouraging  laxity  of  morals,  there  is  danger  of  harp- 
ing too  much  on  doctrinal  sentiments.  An  undue  prominence 
may  be  given  to  a  few  truths,  to  the  comparative  neglect  of 
others  equally  important.  This,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  was  a 
defect  in  the  preaching  of  Elder  Fristoe.  Notwithstanding,  he 
.was  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  Though  with  cha- 
racteristic tenacity  he  clung  to  the  glorious  doctrine  of  Divine 

VOL.  I.  ''' 


74  WILLIAM  FRISTOE. 

sovereignty  and  its  kindred  truths,  so  as  to  render  him  somewhat 
suspicious  of  those  who  did  not  reach  his  standard  of  sentiment, 
he  was,  nevertheless,  a  valuable  and  useful  laborer  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  not  a  man  of  education.  He 
did  not,  however,  despise  it.  "Learning,"  said  he,  "is  highly 
esteemed  among  the  Baptists,  and  many  who  have  been  called 
to  and  exercised  public  offices,  have  very  sensibly  felt  the  inconve- 
nience they  had  to  labor  under  for  the  want  of  it.  But  it  is  not 
considered  essentially  necessary  to  a  gospel  minister.  Where  the 
Author  of  nature  has  endued  a  person  with  strong  intellect, 
capable  of  taking  in  high  and  sublime  ideas,  and  prying  into 
mysterious  and  intricate  subjects,  and  given  him  to  know  his  dear 
Son,  whom  to  know  is  life  eternal,  the  ministry  may  be  entered 
even  without  learning.  For  a  person  of  this  description  forever 
to  remain  in  silence,  merely  for  the  want  of  education,  would  be 
like  a  beautiful  flower  blooming  in  a  desert,  unnoticed  by  few, 
and  enjoyed  by  none." 

Though  Elder  F.  had  not  the  advantage  of  an  improved  mind, 
he  endeavored,  by  reading  as  much  as  possible,  to  make  up  this 
deficiency.  A  reference  to  this  subject  is  made  by  Elder  Cum- 
berland George  in  the  following  interesting  facts  :  "  In  relation  to 
the  early  advantages  of  Elder  Fristoe,"  says  Mr.  George,  "I  will 
relate  one  particular  which  I  obtained  from  his  own  lips.  A  cer- 
tain Mr.  Morson  of  Falmouth,  Stafford  County,  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  Elder  Fristoe,  was  strongly  attached  to  him,  and 
being  a  gentleman  of  considerable  wealth,  invited  him  to  remove 
to  a  farm  some  few  miles  above  Falmouth,  where  there  were  not 
only  comfortable  buildings,  but  furniture  and  provisions  for  the 
use  and  comfort  of  his  family,  together  with  an  extensive  and 
valuable  library,  to  which  unrestricted  admission  was  given  him. 
Here  Mr.  Fristoe  remained  for  nearly  two  years,  and  through  the 
kindness  of  his  friend,  was  enabled  to  give  himself  almost  entirely 
to  reading  and  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word.  Mr.  Fristoe 
always  regarded  this  a  signal  interposition  of  the  hand  of  God 
in  his  favor.  Nor  was  he  idle  while  God's  providence  seemed  to 
say  'Work.'     Those  two  years  of  devotion  to  study  enabled  him 


WILLIAM   FRISTOE.  Y6 

to  acquire  such  a  stock  of  knowledge  as  essentially  to  assist  him 
in  his  ministry  through  life." 

Mr.  Fristoe  was  in  the  habit  of  devoting  much  time  to  the 
perusal  of  the  sacred  Scriptures.  To  the  law  and  testimony  he 
professed  to  look  for  authority  in  religious  faith  and  practice.  A 
few  remarks  on  the  subject  of  baptism  from  his  pen  will  show 
how  far  he  <Jonsidered  the  neglect  of  this  duty  sinful,  as  also  his 
views  on  the  impropriety  of  admitting  infants  to  the  ordinance. 
"It  is  readily  granted,  Paul's  epistles  were  addressed  to  the 
churches,  and  not  to  the  world  ;  and  it  will  not  be  denied  by 
us  that  there  were  parents  and  children  both  members  in  the 
churches,  but  they  were  such  children  as  could  read  Paul's 
address  to  them,  or  hear  it  read  ;  could  understand  the  contents 
of  those  epistles  and  form  their  conduct  according  to  the  instruc- 
tions given  therein,  and  of  course  capable  of  believing  in  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  acting  as  worthy  members  of  the  church,  to  the 
duties  enjoined  on  them  in  those  epistles.  It  is  well  known  the 
obligation  children  are  under  toward  a  parent  is  never  removed ; 
had  these  been  of  the  infant  tribe  they  would  not  have  had  un- 
derstanding sufficient  to  obey  their  parents,  and  therefore  can 
have  no  allusion  to  them. 

"  The  jailor  and  his  household,  Lydia  and  her  household,  have 
been  often  brought,  with  the  assurance  that  the  Baptists  would 
agree  there  were  infants  among  them,  and  that  inasmuch  as  the 
household  was  baptized,  it  furnishes  a  presumptive  proof  at  least 
in  favor  of  infant  baptism — to  which  we  answer  : — 

"As  to  the  jailor,  we  have  a  plain  statement,  that  he  believed 
in  God  with  all  his  house  ;  rejoiced  in  God  with  all  his  house ; 
and  he  and  all  his  were  baptized  straightway ;  so,  then,  from  the 
accounts  given,  they  were  all  of  understanding  to  receive  the 
word  delivered  by  the  apostles,  all  capacitated  to  act  faith  in 
Christ,  all  rejoiced  having  a  saving  knowledge  of  God,  and  all 
submitted  to  the  sacred  ordinance  of  baptism.  As  for  Lydia  we 
have  no  account  that  she  had  husband  or  children  ;  the  account  is, 
that  she  worshiped  God,  that  she  heard  Paul  preach,  that  her 
heart  was  opened,  and  she  and  her  household  were  baptized ;  the 
natural  inference  is,  that  she  had  servants  or  assistants,  in  carry- 
ing on  her  trade,  and  that  they  believed  and  were  baptized. 


t6  WILLIAM  FRISTOE. 

"As  we  cannot,  consistently  with  the  Scriptures,  admit  any  to 
church  communion  without  being  baptized  on  the  profession  of 
their  faith,  we  are  often  asked,  if  we  think  there  are  not  Chris- 
tians among  other  denominations  as  well  as  among  the  Baptists ; 
and  if  so,  it  is  very  wrong  to  disown  or  reject  such.  We  have 
never  called  in  question  that  there  are  Christians  in  other  sects  ; 
it  is  not  their  Christianity  we  scrutinize,  but  the  support  of  the 
institutions  of  the  gospel  in  their  purity.  Those  of  our  neigh- 
bors who  are  privy  to  our  conduct,  know  full  well  we  purchase 
books  written  by  eminent  and  spiritual  divines  belonging  to  other 
denominations.  But,  provided  a  person  possessed  with  grace 
should  be  guilty  of  a  wrong  course,  does  grace  in  his  heart  make 
his  conduct  right  ?  By  no  means !  For,  could  that  be  sup- 
ported, there  would  never  be  a  wrong  done  by  a  Christian. 
Suppose  a  gracious  man  was  seduced  and  led  away  to  worship 
an  idol,  could  that  worship  be  acceptable  to  God  because  he 
professed  grace  ?  By  no  means  I  It  is  so  far  from  lessening  the 
crime  or  making  it  no  crime,  that  it  is  greatly  heightened  and 
aggravated ;  so,  when  persons  are  enlightened  from  above,  and 
enjoy  the  teaching  of  the  spirit  of  grace,  and  then  live  in  the 
willful  neglect  of  a  known  duty,  it  is  dishonorable  to  God,  and  un- 
becoming their  high  calling. 

"  We  are  acquainted  with  none  of  the  Pedobaptists  but  what 
acknowledge  that  in  the  apostolic  day  baptism  was  by  immersion, 
and  the  subjects  were  believers ;  but  while  that  is  allowed  by 
them,  it  is  thought  unreasonable  the  Baptists  should  not  be 
equally  liberal  in  allowing  the  sprinkling  of  infants  to  be  right 
likewise.  Here  our  suit  has  been  long,  and  continues  still  at 
issue.  It  is  out  of  the  question  for  both  to  be  right,  because 
there  is  but  one  rule  laid  down  in  Holy  Writ  for  Christ's  followers, 
as  it  respects  baptism ;  and  that  is,  '  He  that  believeth,  and  is 
baptized' — '  Repent  and  be  Baptized' — '  If  thou  believest  with  all 
thy  heart  thou  mayest'  be  baptized.  And  'they  believed  and 
were  baptized  ; '  and  '  who  can  forbid  water,  that  these  should  not 
be  baptized?'  This  appears  to  be  the  uniform  language  of- the 
New  Testament,  being  consistent  with  the  command  of  the  great 
Lawgiver. 

"When  we  make  search  for  infant  sprinkling,  and  open  our  ears 


WILLIAM   FRISTOE.  YY 

to  hear  what  the  Scripture  reports,  a  dead  silence  takes  place,  and 
we  go  off  without  any  information  about  it.  We  read  of  a  pros- 
titute church  in  the  revelation  of  John  the  divine,  a  church  which 
had  departed  from  the  true  worship  of  God  and  addicted  herself 
to  superstitious,  idolatrous  worship.  What  says  the  voice  of  God 
in  this  case  ?  '  Come  out  of  her,  my  people,  and  be  not  partaker 
of  her  crimes,  that  ye  perish  not  in  her  plagues.'  Prom  this  it 
appears  that  God  had  a  people  in  that  corrupt,  apostate  church, 
but  it  was  no  reason,  because  they  had  grace,  that  they  should 
stay  there,  but  quite  the  reverse. 

"  Prom  all  that  has  been  said,  we  see  no  cause  for  retraction 
or  a  change  of  our  custom ;  we  feel  it  obligatory  on  us  to  con- 
tend for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  and  maintain  the 
ordinances  in  their  purity  as  delivered  by  Christ  and  his  apostles. 
Yiewing  it  as  a  dreadful  sin  to  change  God's  ordinances,  being 
forewarned  to  touch  not,  handle  not,  which  all  are  to  perish  with 
the  using  after  the  commandments  and  doctrines  of  men,  our 
Lord  informs  us,  he  that  breaks  the  least  of  His  commands,  and 
teaches  men  so  to  do,  shall  be  called  least  in  the  kingdom  of 
God." 

An  aged  brother  now  living,  and  who  was  familiar  with  his 
opinions  and  habits  for  many  years,  states  that  "he  promoted 
collections  at  different  associations,  for  foreign  and  domestic 
missions."  It  was  doubtless  his  desire,  that  the  gospel  of  the 
kingdom  should  be  preached  to  all  nations,  and  he  was  too  well 
acquainted  with  the  word  of  God  not  to  know  that  the  designs 
of  infinite  mercy  were  to  be  effected  through  the  instrumentality 
of  means.  He  well  knew  that  while  all  success  is  from  God,  and 
that  to  him  all  the  glory  will  be  due,  there  is  much  for  the  church 
to  do  as  instruments  in  the  glorious  work  of  evangelizing  the 
nations.  It  is  strange  that  any  brethren  should  object  to  the 
operations  or  designs  of  missionary  and  other  benevolent  associa- 
tions. But  this  hostility  is  every  day  becoming  less  inveterate. 
For  this  the  Lord  be  praised. 

Concerning  the  deportment  of  Elder  Pristoe,  it  may  be  said, 
he  had  a  good  report  of  those  who  are  without.  His  life  gave 
practical  evidence  that  he  loved  holiness,  and  desired  to  promote 

1* 


*IS  JOHN   WALLER. 

the  Divine  glory.  He  was  an  example  to  the  believers,  and  thus 
adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour. 

In  the  year  1809,  he  published  a  work  of  which  he  was  the 
author,  entitled  "  The  History  of  the  Ketockton  Baptist  Associa- 
tion." For  any  inaccuracies  of  style,  he  thus  apologizes  to  the 
reader  in  his  preface  :  "  Should  defects  appear  in  the  following 
work,  it  need  not  be  wondered  at,  for  the  author  is  no  scholar, 
nor  affects  learning,  and  in  the  course  of  his  life  never  made  any 
notes,  nor  kept  any  journal,  neither  has  he  been  supplied  from 
any  other  hand,  only  the  little  aid  from  our  associational  record. 
The  production  has  been  principally  written  from  recollection 
and  the  little  strength  of  his  own  judgment." 

This  work  is  not  altogether  confined  to  the  Ketockton  Associa- 
tion. It  refers  to  the  history  of  the  Baptist  denomination 
throughout  Virginia  ;  especially  to  the  persecutions  they  suffered 
and  the  sentiments  for  which  they  were  distinguished.  Many  in- 
teresting facts  are  recorded. 

Mr.  Fristoe  lived  to  see  a  good  old  age.  He  died  after  a  short 
illness  at  his  own  residence  in  Shenandoah  County,  on  the  14th 
of  August,  1828,  having  reached  his  eighty-sixth  year.  He  had 
been  for  more  than  sixty  years  a  defender  of  the  truth,  and  one 
of  the  pillars  of  the  church  in  the  upper  country.  In  giving 
notice  of  his  death,  a  brother  observes,  "he  was,  perhaps,  ex- 
celled by  no  man  in  the  State  in  point  of  biblical  knowledge,  and 
for  his  pious  walk  and  unblemished  character ;  but  his  character 
and  standing  were  so  well  known  in  this  and  the  adjoining  States, 
that  any  remarks  from  me  upon  this  subject  would  seem  to  be 
unnecessary.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  truly  a  great  man  has  fallen 
in  Israel." 


JOHN    WALLER.* 

John  Waller  was  born  December  23d,  1141,  in  Spottsylvania 
County,  and  was  a  descendant  of  the  honorable  family  of  Wallers, 
in  England.  At  a  very  early  period  he  manifested  a  great  talent 
for  satire.     This  determined  his  uncle,  who  was  his  guardian,  to 

*  By  Elder  Semple,  with  additions. 


JOHN  WALLEE.  79 

educate  him  for  the  law.  He  was  put  to  a  grammar  school,  and 
made  encouraging  advancement  in  the  dead  languages.  His 
uncle's  death  and  his  father's  narrow  resources,  added  to  his  own 
unbridled  inclinations  to  vice,  prevented  him  from  finishing  even 
his  classical  education.  He  now  began  indeed  to  study,  not  the 
laws  of  the  land,  but  those  of  the  gaming  table.  Giving  loose  to 
every  species  of  wickedness  and  profanity,  he  quickly  acquired 
for  himself  the  infamous  appellation  of  Swearing  Jack  Waller, 
by  which  he  was  distinguished  from  others  of  the  same  name.  So 
far  did  he  indulge  his  mischievous  temper,  that  he  once  had  three 
warrants  served  on  him  at  the  same  time  on  account  of  one 
uproar.  It  was  frequently  remarked  by  the  common  people,  "  that 
there  could  be  no  deviltry  among  the  people  unless  Swearing 
Jack  was  at  the  head  of  it."  He  was  sometimes  called  the 
Devil's  Adjutant  to  muster  his  troops.  To  these  may  be  added 
his  fury  against  the  Baptists.  He  was  one  of  the  grand  jury  who 
presented  L.  Craig  for  preaching.  This  happily  terminated  in 
his  good.  Mr.  Craig,  in  order  to  turn  their  mischievous  inten- 
tions into  something  beneficial,  watched  the  dismission  of  the 
jury,  and  having  gained  their  attention,  thus  addressed  them :  "  I 
thank  you,  gentlemen  of  the  grand  jury,  for  the  honor  you  have 
done  me.  While  I  was  wicked  and  injurious,  you  took  no  notice 
of  me,  but  since  I  have  altered  my  course  of  life  and  endeavored 
to  reform  my  neighbors,  you  concern  yourselves  much  about  me. 
I  shall  take  the  spoiling  of  my  goods  joyfully."  When  Mr.  W. 
heard  him  speak  in  that  manner,  and  observed  the  meekness  of 
his  spirit,  he  was  convinced  that  Craig  was  possessed  of  some- 
thing that  he  had  never  seen  in  man  before.  He  thought  within 
himself  that  he  should  be  happy  if  he  could  be  of  the  same  reli- 
gion with  Mr.  Craig.  From  this  time  he  began  to  attend  their 
meetings,  and  was  found  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  commandment 
came,  and  he  died.  He  saw  and  felt  himself  a  sinner.  He  now 
for  the  first  time,  except  in  blaspheming,  began  to  call  upon  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  His  convictions  were  deep  and  pungent.  He 
ate  no  pleasant  bread  and  drank  no  pleasant  water  for  seven  or 
eight  months.  He  was  almost  in  despair.  He  relates  his  exercises 
in  the  following  words  : — 

"I  had  long  felt  the  greatest  abhorrence  of  myself,  and  began 


80  JOHN   WALLER. 

almost  to  despair  of  the  mercy  of  God.  However,  I  determined 
never  to  rest  until  it  pleased  God  to  show  mercy  or  cut  me 
off.  Under  these  impressions  I  was  at  a  certain  place,  sitting 
under  preaching.  On  a  sudden,  a  man  exclaimed  that  he  had 
found  mercy  and  began  to  praise  God.  No  mortal  can  describe 
the  horror  with  which  I  was  seized  at  that  instant.  I  began  to 
conclude  my  damnation  was  certain.  Leaving  the  meeting,  I 
hastened  into  a  neighboring  wood  and  dropped  on  my  knees 
before  God  to  beg  for  mercy.  In  an  instant  I  felt  my  heart  melt, 
and  a  sweet  application  of  the  Redeemer's  love  to  my  poor  soul. 
The  calm  was  great  but  short." 

From  this  time  he  felt  some  increase  of  strength,  yet  some- 
times the  enemy  broke  in  upon  him  like  a  flood  and  he  would  be 
almost  ready  to  give  up  his  hope.  But  the  application  of  these 
words  gave  him  great  comfort :  "  "Who  is  among  you  that  feareth 
the  Lord  ;  that  walketh  in  darkness  and  hath  no  light ;  let  him 
trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God."  Isaiah 
i.  10.  And  again  :  "  Cy  this  we  know  that  we  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren." 

By  the  time  Messrs.  Harriss  and  Read  came  on  their  next  tour 
he  felt  sufficiently  confident  to  become  a  candidate  for  baptism, 
and  going  up  into  Orange  County  was  there  baptized  by  Mr.  Read, 
in  the  year  ITBT.  Baptism  was  to  him  as  it  has  been  to  thousands, 
a  sanctified  ordinance.  His  soul  received  great  accession  of 
strength  and  comfort,  Having  contracted  debts  by  dissipation, 
he  sold  property  to  pay  them.  He  conferred  not  with  flesh  and 
blood,  but  began  to  preach  that  men  ought  everywhere  to  repent. 
It  was  not  long  before  his  labors  became  effectual,  at  least  in  one 
way.  That  arch-enemy  of  souls,  whom  he  had  served  so  faith- 
fully before,  now  began  to  rage,  and  succeeded  in  raising  a 
powerful  opposition. 

At  length  it  was  thought  proper  to  constitute  a  church  in  Mr. 
Waller's  neighborhood.  He  was  ordained  their  pastor,  June  20th, 
17T0.  He  now  began  to  extend  his  labors.  Bending  his  course 
to  Lower  Yirginia,  he  baptized  Rev.  William  Webber,  being  the 
first  he  did  baptize.  Accompanied  by  J.  Burrus  he  traveled  as 
far  as  Middlesex,  and  wherever  he  went  he  was  attended  by  a 
Divine  power,  turning  many  to  righteousness.    His  name  sounded 


JOHN   WALLER.  81 

far  and  wide.  By  the  ungodly  he  was  considered  as  a  bold, 
inexorable  fanatic,  that  would  do  much  mischief  unless  restrained. 
The  Baptists  and  their  adherents  looked  upon  him  as  set  for  the 
defence  of  their  cause,  and  with  much  confidence  rallied  him  as 
their  leader.  His  persecutions  in  several  counties  were  of  the 
most  painful  character.  The  following  letter,  written  by  him 
during  an  imprisonment  of  forty-six  days  in  the  County  of  Mid- 
dlesex, will  exhibit  something  of  the  severe  trials  to  which  he 
and  his  associates  were  subjected  in  making  known  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Jesus.     It  is  dated 

Urbanna  Prison,  Middlesex  County,") 
August  12,  1771.  ]" 

Dear  Brother  in  the  Lord  : 

At  a  meeting  which  was  held  at  Brother  McCain's,  in  this 
county,  last  Saturday,  while  Brother  William  Webber  was  ad- 
dressing the  congregation  from  James  ii.  18,  there  came  running 
toward  him,  in  a  most  furious  rage.  Captain  James  Montague,  a 
magistrate  of  the  county,  followed  by  the  parson  of  the  parish  and 
several  others  who  seemed  greatly  exasperated.  The  magistrate  and 
another  took  hold  of  Brother  Webber,  and  dragging  him  from  the 
stage,  delivered  him,  with  Brethren  Wafford,  Robert  Ware,  Richard 
Palkner,  James  Greenwood,  and  myself,  into  custody,  and  com- 
manded that  we  should  be  brought  before  him  for  trial.  Brother 
Wafford  was  severely  scourged,  and  Brother  Henry  Street  received 
one  lash  from  one  of  the  persecutors,  who  was  prevented  from 
proceeding  to  further  violence  by  his  companions  ;  to  be  short,  I 
may  inform  you  that  we  were  carried  before  the  above-mentioned 
magistrate,  who,  with  the  parson  and  some  others,  carried  us  one 
by  one  into  a  room  and  examined  our  pockets  and  wallets  for 
fire-arms,  etc.,  charging  us  with  carrying  on  a  mutiny  against  the 
authority  of  the  land;  Finding  none,  we  were  asked  if  we  had 
license  to  preach  in  this  county ;  and,  learning  we  had  not,  it  was 
required  of  us  to  give  bond  and  security  not  to  preach  any  more 
in  the  county,  which  we  modestly  refused  to  do,  whereupon,  after 
dismissing  Brother  Wafford,  with  a  charge  to  make  his  escape 
out  of  the  county  by  twelve  o'clock  the  next  day  on  pain  of 
imprisonment,  and  dismissing  Brother  Falkner,  the  rest  of  us  were 

YOL.  I. — F 


82  JOHN   WALLER. 

delivered  to  the  sheriif  and  sent  to  close  jail,  with  a  charge  not  to 
allow  us  to  walk  in  the  air  until  court  day.  Blessed  be  God,  the 
sheriff  and  jailor  have  treated  us  with  as  much  kindness  as  could 
have  been  expected  from  strangers.  May  the  Lord  reward  them 
for  it !  Yesterday  we  had  a  large  number  of  people  to  hear  us 
preach ;  and,  among  others,  many  of  the  great  ones  of  the  land, 
who  behaved  well  while  one  of  us  discoursed  on  the  new  birth. 
We  find  the  Lord  gracious  and  kind  to  us  beyond  expression  in 
our  afflictions.  We  cannot  tell  how  long  we  shall  be  kept  in 
bonds ;  we  therefore  beseech,  dear  brother,  that  you  and  the 
church  supplicate  night  and  day  for  us,  our  benefactors,  and  our 
persecutors. 

I  have  also  to  inform  you  that  six  of  our  brethren  are  confined 
in  Caroline  jail,  viz..  Brethren  Lewis  Craig,  John  Burrus,  John 
Young,  Edward  Herndon,  James  Goodrick,  and  Bartholomew 
Cheming.  The  most  dreadful  threatenings  are  raised  in  the 
neighboring  counties  against  the  Lord's  faithful  and  humble 
followers.     Excuse  haste.     Adieu. 

JOHN   WALLER. 

In  this  bright  and  burning  way,  Waller  continued  until  1TT5 
or  1776,  when  he  formed  an  acquaintance  with  one  Williams,  a 
preacher  of  some  talents,  apparent  piety,  and  in  Mr.  Wesley's 
connection,  consequently  an  Arminian  :  this  man,  by  his  conver- 
sation and  books,  so  wrought  upon  Mr.  Waller's  mind  as  to  bring 
him  over  to  believe  the  Arminian  system.  Knowing  this  to  be 
contrary  to  the  opinions  of  his  brethren,  he  resolved  to  make  a 
bold  effort  to  preach  and  argue  his  principles  at  the  next  associa- 
tion, and  thereby  convince  his  brethren ;  or,  failing  in  this,  to 
submit  to  be  cut  off  from  them.  Accordingly,  he  took  his  text, 
1  Cor.  xiii.  11.  In  his  exordium  he  stated,  that  when  young  and 
inexperienced  in  religion  he  had  fallen  in  with  the  Calvinistic 
plan ;  but  that  becoming  more  expert  in  doctrine,  or,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  his  text,  when  he  became  a  man  he  put  away  these 
childish  notions.  He  then  went  lengthily  into  the  argument. 
For  want  of  truth  or  talents  he  made  few,  if  any  converts  to  his 
opinions ;  and,  of  course,  had  to  confront  the  whole  host  of 
preachers  and  members  now  assembled.     Mr.  Waller,  foreseeing 


JOHN   WAI.LER.  53 

his  fate,  took  tlie  shorter  and  more  reputable  course.  Instead  of 
awaiting  a  fair  trial,  he  proclaimed  himself  an  independent  Baptist 
preacher.  This  step  was  probably  resorted  to  by  Waller  under 
an  expectation  that  his  popularity  was  so  great  that  he  should  be 
able  to  bring  over  many  of  the  churches  to  his  party.  Be  this  as 
it  may,  he  immediately  commenced  his  operations  on  an  extensive 
plan.  On  his  return  from  the  association  he  used  his  utmost 
endeavor  to  form  a  strong  party.  He  preached  from  house  to 
house  over  a  large  field  of  ministerial  labor ;  ordained  lay  elders 
in  every  neighborhood,  to  prevent  inroads  ;  and  also  several  helps 
in  the  ministry.  He  also  established  what  he  called  camp-meet- 
ings, in  which  they  continued  together  several  days  under  certain 
written  regulations. 

The  novelty  of  these  meetings  excited  the  attention  of  the 
people  in  such  a  manner  that  great  multitudes  crowded  after  him. 
By  these  means  his  party  gained  strength  daily.  Few  men  pos- 
sessed greater  talents  for  leading  a  party  of  this  description  than 
Mr.  Waller.  The  only  thing  in  which  he  was  deficient  was,  that 
he  could  not  be  happy  while  separated  from  his  brethren.  He 
used  to  say,  that  in  the  midst  of  apparent  prosperity  and  the 
caresses  of  his  friends,  he  still  yearned  after  the  people  of  God 
from  whom  he  had  withdrawn.  Some  years  after  his  restoration, 
he  said  to  a  young  preacher  who  was  dissatisfied  and  talked  of 
dissenting,  "  If  you  could  have  a  distant  view  of  my  suffering  and 
leanness  of  soul  while  a  dissenter  from  my  brethren,  you  would 
never  again  indulge  such  a  thought."  He  was  again  fully  rein- 
stated in  connection  with  his  brethren  in  178*7. 

A  very  great  revival  commenced  under  Mr.  Waller's  ministry 
in  178Y.  This  continued  for  several  years,  and  spread  through 
all  his  places  of  preaching.  In  this  revival  he  was  greatly  engaged, 
and  baptized  from  first  to  last  many  hundreds.  Early  in  this 
revival  Mr.  A.  Waller,  son  of  his  brother  Benjamin,  was  brought 
in,  and  in  some  few  years  began  to  preach.  Mr.  Waller  imme- 
diately recognized  him  as  his  successor,  and  declared  that  he 
believed  his  work  in  that  part  of  the  earth  was  finished.  Accord- 
ingly, November  7th,  1793,  after  taking  the  most  affectionate 
farewell  of  the  churches,  he  removed  to  Abbeville  in  the  State  of 
South  Carolina.     This  removal  was  said  to  have  arisen,  partly 


84  JOHN   WALLER. 

from  economical  considerations,  and  partly  from  a  strong  desire 
with  himself  and  wife  to  live  near  a  beloved  daughter,  who  had 
some  time  previously  married  Rev.  Abraham  Marshall  of  Georgia. 
Perhaps  there  might  be  other  causes.  His  labors  in  his  new 
residence  were  also  blessed,  but  not .  to  a  great  extent.  He 
remained,  however,  faithful  in  the  cause  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  July  4th',  1802. 

His  death  was,  as  might  have  been  expected,  truly  glorious. 
His  eldest  son  describes  it  in  the  following  words  :  "  His  conflict 
with  death,  as  it  respected  bodily  affliction,  was  truly  hard  ;  but 
his  soul  appeared  to  be  happy  indeed  !  ISTever  did  I  witness  such 
resignation  and  Christian  fortitude  before  !  He  was  reduced  to 
a  perfect  skeleton,  and  in  several  places  the  skin  was  rubbed  off 
his  bones.  His  pains  were  excruciating ;  but  no  murmur  was 
heard  from  his  lips.  On  the  contrary,  he  would  often  say,  'I 
have  a  good  Master,  who  does  not  give  me  one  stroke  too  hard 
or  one  too  many.' 

"  The  last  sermon  he  preached  was  on  the  death  of  a  young 
man.  The  text  on  which  he  preached  was  Zechariah  ii.  4. 
'Run,  speak  to  this  young  man.'  He  addressed  himself  chiefly 
to  youth,  in  feeble,  but  animating  strains ;  observing  that  he 
counted  upon  its  being  the  last  sermon  he  should  ever  preach  : 
and  fervently  prayed  that,  Sampson  like,  he  might  slay  more  at 
his  death  than  he  had  done  in  his  life.  He  continued  speaking 
until  his  strength  failed  him,  and  with  reeling  steps  he  advanced 
to  a  bed,  where  we  thought  he  would  have  expired.  Thence  he 
was  removed  home  in  a  carriage  for  the  last  time.  He  said,  as 
to  his  soul,  he  was  under  no  concern,  he  had  given  that  to  Jesus 
long  since,  and  he  was  under  no  doubt  his  Master  would  provide  a 
mansion  for  it.  Just  before  his  departure  he  summoned  all  his 
farnily,  black  and  white,  around  him,  and  told  them  he  was 
anxious  to  be  gone,  and  to  be  present  with  Christ,  and  then  warned 
them  to  walk  in  the  fear  of  God,  cordially  shook  hands  with  all, 
and  soon  after,  with  a  pleasant  countenance,  breatlied  his  last, 
and  fell  asleep  in  Jesus."  I  looked  on  the  corpse  with  these 
words  fresh  in  my  mind  : — 

"0  lovely  appearance  of  death." 


LEWIS   CRAIG.  85 

Thus  this  great  man  of  God  conquered  the  last  enemy,  and 
ascended  to  that  rest  that  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God.  He 
died  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age,  having  been  a  minister 
of  God's  word  for  about  thirty-five  years,  and  in  that  time  had 
lain  in  four  different  jails  one  hundred  and  thirteen  days,  besides 
receiving  reproachings,  bufi'etings,  stripes,  etc.  Nor  vpas  his 
labor  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  While  in  Yirginia  he  baptized  more 
than  two  thousand  persons,  assisted  in  the  ordination  of  twenty- 
seven  ministers,  and  in  the  constitution  of  eighteen  churches. 
For  many  years  he  had  the  ministerial  care  of  five  churches,  for 
which  he  preached  statedly.  As  a  preacher  his  talents  were  not 
above  mediocrity,  but  he  was  certainly  a  man  of  very  strong 
mind.  His  talent  for  intrigue  was  equaled  by  few.  This  he 
exercised,  sometimes  beyond  the  innocence  of  the  dove.  He 
was,  perhaps,  too  emulous  to  carry  his  favorite  points,  especially 
in  associations,  yet  it  must  be  owned  that  such  influence  as  he 
acquired  in  this  way,  he  always  endeavored  to  turn  to  the  glory 
of  God. 


LEWIS   CRAIG. 


This  is  a  name  well  known  in  Yirginia.  It  is  interwoven  in 
the  history  of  many  of  her  churches,  and  will  continue  to  live  io 
the  memory  of  the  pious,  while  time  endures.  To  Lewis  Craig, 
and  his  brother  Elijah,  may  we  look  as  among  the  principal 
instruments  of  introducing  the  gospel  in  the  eastern  part  of  our 
State. 

The  family  with  whom  they  were  connected  are  said  to  have 
been  eminently  pious.  The  parents,  and  all  their  children,  seven 
sons  and  four  daughters,  were  all  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Lewis  is  said  to  have  been  first  awakened  under  the  preaching 
of  Samuel  Harriss,  and  to  have  remained  for  some  time  in  deep 
distress.  In  following  the  preacher  from  place  to  place  he  would 
sometimes  break  out  in  solemn  exhortation  to  others,  while  he 
confessed  that  he  was  himself  without  hope.  He  ultimately  re- 
joiced in  Christ,  and  in  1T6T,  when  about  twenty-seven  years  of 
age,  was  baptized,  and  began  to  preach.     He  was  far  from  pos- 

TOL.  I.  8 


86  LEWIS    CRAIG. 

sessing  a  cultivated  mind,  but  being  a  sensible  man,  and  having 
a  very  musical  voice,  with  agreeable  manners,  and,  especially, 
going  forth  under  the  constraining  influence  of  the  love  of  Christ, 
he  excited  much  interest  among  the  people  he  addressed.  He 
traveled  almost  constantly,  and  the  large  congregations  which 
everywhere  attended  his  ministry  were  entreated  to  escape  the 
Divine  wrath,  with  the  most  impassioned  earnestness.  Nothing 
could  exceed  the  burning  zeal  with  which  he  persuaded  men  to 
be  reconciled  to  God.  His  sermons  consisted  in  a  plain  pungent 
exhibition  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  its  ruinous  consequences,  with 
the  glad  tidings  of  redeeming  love  through  a  Saviour.  Hundreds 
of  his  hearers  found  in  these  announcements  the  means  of  salva- 
tion. The  gospel  came  to  them  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power, 
in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance. 

These  successful  results  were  principally  manifested  in  the 
Counties  of  Orange  and  Spottsylvania.  The  first  Baptist  church 
organized,  between  the  James  and  Rappahannock  Pv-ivers,  called 
Lower  Spottsylvania,  afterwards  Craig's,  was  the  fruit  of  his 
efforts.  This  church  was  constituted  in  1Y67.  Three  years 
after  this  period  he  received  and  accepted  an  invitation  to  pre- 
side over  them  as  their  pastor.  Additions  were  regularly  made 
to  their  number;  but  in  ITGI  an  extensive  revival  was  enjoyed, 
when  more  than  one  hundred  were  baptized.  The  church  con- 
tinued to  prosper  until  1781,  when  their  pastor  removed  to  the 
western  country ;  a  large  number  of  the  members  of  the  church 
left  the  State  with  him,  and  a  serious  decline  was  experienced. 

Before  Elder  Craig's  departure  to  the  "West,  he  was  counted 
worthy  of  his  Master  to  suffer  painful  trials  in  the  discharge  of 
his  ministerial  duties.  Various  means  were  employed  to  alarm 
and  cause  him  to  give  up  his  practice  of  preaching  the  gospel. 
He  thought  of  the  Saviour's  dying  love,  and  determined  to  go 
forward  even  at  the  expense  of  life.  At  length  he  was  arrested 
by  the  sheriff  of  Spottsylvania,  and  brought  before  three  magis- 
trates, in  the  yard  of  the  meeting-house,  who  bound  him,  with 
others,  in  the  penalty  of  two  thousand  pounds,  to  appear  at  court 
two  days  after.  They  attended,  and  were  arraigned  as  disturbers 
of  the  peace.  The  prosecuting  attorney  represented  them  to  be 
a  great  annoyance  to  the  county  by  their  zeal    as    preachers. 


LEWIS   CRAIG.  8t 

"  May  it  please  your  worship,"  said  he,  "  they  cannot  meet  a  man 
upon  the  road  but  they  must  ram  a  text  of  Scripture  down  his 
throat."  After  hearing  their  defence,  the  court  determined  that 
they  should  be  liberated,  provided  they  would  give  security  no 
more  to  preach  in  the  county  within  twelve  months.  To  this 
condition  Elder  C.  and  his  companions  refused  to  yield.  They 
were  then  sentenced  to  close  confinement  in  the  jail.  As  they 
passed  on  to  prison  through  the  streets  of  Fredericksburg,  they 
united  in  singing  the  lines — 

"  Broad  is  the  road  that  leads  to  death." 

They  remained  in  prison  one  month,  and  were  then  released. 
Elder  Craig  then  visited  Williamsburg,  to  obtain  relief  for  his 
brethren.  The  following  letter  was  conveyed  by  him  from  the 
deputy  governor  to  the  king's  attorney  : — 

"  Sir  :  I  lately  received  a  letter  signed  by  a  good  number  of 
worthy  gentlemen,  who  are  not  here,  complaining  of  the  Baptists ; 
the  particulars  of  their  misbehavior  are  not  told,  any  further  than 
their  running  into  private  houses,  and  making  dissensions.  Mr. 
Craig  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Waller  are  now  with  me,  and  deny  the 
charge  :  they  tell  me  they  are  willing  to  take  the  oaths,  as  others 
have.  I  told  them  I  had  consulted  the  attorney-general,  who  is 
of  opinion  that  the  general  court  only  have  a  right  to  grant 
licenses,  and  therefore  I  referred  them  to  the  court ;  but,  on  their 
application  to  the  attorney-general,  they  brought  me  his  letter, 
advising  me  to  write  to  you.  Their  petition  was  a  matter  of 
right,  and  you  ought  not  to  molest  these  conscientious  people,  so 
long  as  they  behave  themselves  in  a  manner  becoming  pious 
Christians,  and  in  obedience  to  the  laws — till  the  court,  when 
they  intend  to  apply  for  license,  and  when  the  gentlemen,  who 
complain,  may  make  their  objections,  and  be  heard.  The  act  of 
toleration  (it  being  found  by  experience  that  persecuting  dis- 
senters increases  their  numbers)  has  given  them  a  right  to  apply, 
m  a  proper  manner,  for  licensed  houses,  for  the  worship  of  God, 
according  to  their  consciences  ;  and  I  persuade  myself,  the  gen- 
tlemen will  quietly  overlook  their  meetings,  till  the  court.  I  am 
told,  they  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  near 


88  LEWIS  CRAIG. 

the  manner  we  do,  and  differ  in  nothing  from  our  church  but  in 
that  of  baptism,  and  their  renewing  the  ancient  discipline ;  by 
which  they  have  reformed  some  sinners,  and  brought  them  to  be 
truly  penitent :  nay,  if  a  man  of  theirs  is  idle,  and  neglects  to 
labor,  and  provide  for  his  family  as  he  ought,  he  incurs  their  cen- 
sures, which  have  had  good  effects.  If  this  be  their  behavior,  it 
were  to  be  wished  we  had  some  of  it  among  us.  But,  at  least, 
I  hope  all  may  remain  quiet  till  the  court. 

"  I  am,  with  great  respects  to  the  gentlemen,  sir, 
"Your  humble  servant, 

"JOHN  BLAIR. 
"  Williamsburg,  July  16,  1768." 

The  prisoners  were,  after  a  short  time,  released.  During  their 
confinement.  Elder  C.  preached  through  the  gates  to  large 
crowds,  and  was  the  means  of  doing  much  good.  When  he  was 
permitted  to  go  at  large,  he  went  forth  with  renewed  spiritual 
strength,  defending  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  He  was  enabled 
to  thank  God  that  he  was  permitted  to  suffer  shame  for  the  name 
of  Christ.  Day  and  night  in  his  neighborhood  and  in  all  the 
surrounding  country  he  ceased  not  to  teach  and  to  preach  the 
gospel. 

In  ll'll,  about  three  years  after  this,  he  was  again  imprisoned, 
in  the  County  of  Caroline.  He  had  several  times  preached  there, 
and  was  quite  successful.  Says  Mr.  Semple,  in  referring  to  this 
circumstance,  "Mr.  Craig  continued  to  visit  this  place,  and  to 
cultivate  the  seed  sown.  Believers  were  added  from  time  to  time. 
Satan  took  the  alarm,  and  stirred  up  opposition  to  Mr.  Craig.  A 
warrant  was  issued,  and  Mr.  Craig  was  carried  before  a  magis- 
trate, to  whom  he  gave  bond  not  to  preach  in  the  county  within 
a  certain  number  of  days  ;  but  feeling  himself  hampered  by  this 
measure,  he  thought  it  best  to  incur  the  penalty;  and  accordingly 
preached  some  little  time  after,  at  one  Reuben  Catlet's  planta- 
tion, and  was  taken  up  by  virtue  of  a  warrant  and  committed  to 
prison,  where  he  staid  three  months." 

With  undiminished  ardor  and  success  Mr.  Craig  continued  to 
preach  after  his  liberation.  It  is  stated  in  Semple's  History,  that 
Tuckahoe,  Upper  King  and  Queen,  and  Upper  Essex  Churches, 


LEWIS   CRAIG.  89 

in  the  Dover  Association,  were  planted  under  his  ministry.  As 
long  as  he  remained  in  Virginia  he  was  eminently  useful.  It  has 
been  already  stated  that  in  1T81  he  removed  to  the  West.  He 
settled  on  Gilbert's  Creek,  Lincoln  County,  and  immediately  formed 
a  church  of  those  who  had  been  dismissed  with  him,  from  Craig's, 
in  his  native  State.  In  about  two  years  after  he  again  removed 
within  six  miles  of  Lexington,  and  built  up  the  first  Baptist 
church  in  that  part  of  Kentucky,  called  South  Elkhorn.  Here 
he  was  drawn  into  the  whirlpool  of  speculation,  and  suffered 
many  losses.  His  peace  of  mind  also  was  much  disturbed.  Still 
he  retained  an  untarnished  reputation,  and  continued  to  preach, 
while  the  church  was  greatly  multiplied  under  his  ministry.  In 
1'795  he  settled  in  Bracken  County,  where  also  the  Lord  made 
him  greatly  successful,  as  a  large  church  was  built  up  under  his 
care. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  no  man  in  Kentucky  exercised 
a  more  wide-spread  and  commanding  influence  for  good  than 
Lewis  Craig.  In  removing  from  Yirginia  he  had  taken  with 
him  most  of  the  members  of  the  Upper  Spottsylvania,  since  called 
Craig's  Church.  This  was  the  oldest  and  most  flourishing  body 
of  baptized  believers  between  James  and  Rappahannock  Rivers. 
He  had  been  their  successful  pastor,  loved  and  honored  by  them 
for  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  when  his  purpose  was  formed  to 
migrate  to  the  then  far  off  western  wilderness,  they  almost  unani- 
mously resolved  to  share  in  the  perils  and  discomforts  of  his 
exile.  Such  was  the  enthusiasm  awakened  in  this  band  of  disci- 
ples, that  of  this  large  church  a  sufficient  number  did  not  remain 
to  continue  the  organization.  It  was  necessary  to  disband,  and 
not  until  several  years  after  was  the  church  re-established. 

The  pastor  and  flock,  numbering  about  two  hundred  members, 
and  called  by  John  Taylor  "the  traveling  church,"  commenced 
their  long,  toilsome  journey.  The  whole,  embracing  children  and 
servants,  numbered  nearly  four  hundred.  It  was  a  sublime  spec- 
tacle !  Onward  they  marched,  over  an  almost  trackless  wilder- 
ness, Jehovah  their  guide  and  defence.  Unharmed  by  beasts  of 
prey,  or  the  savage  red  man,  they  were  permitted  to  reach  the 
home  they  sought.  We  may  well  imagine  how  these  pilgrims 
often  lifted  up  holy  hands,  without  wrath  and  doubting.     They 

8* 


90  LEWIS  CRAIG, 

found  many  a  Bethel  in  which  to  draw  near  to  God,  and  oft,  to 
them,  it  was  the  very  gate  of  heaven.  As  they  passed  over  moun- 
tain and  valley  the  stillness  of  ages  was  broken  by  their  songs  of 
praise.  The  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  were  indeed  made 
glad,  for  never  before  had  hymns  of  thanksgiving  by  human 
voices  reverberated  among  those  trees  of  the  forest. 

The  church  thus  borne  on  to  their  destined  home  continued 
under  the  care  of  Lewis  Craig.  Settling  awhile  on  Gilbert's 
Creek,  they  afterwards  removed  to  South  Elkhorn,  as  already 
stated.  Here  Mr.  Craig  purchased  land.  The  first  grist-mill  in 
Kentucky  was  built  by  him.  The  above  facts  have  been  mainly 
received  from  John  Taylor.  He  says,  "  South  Elkhorn  was  eight 
miles  from  where  I  lived.  I  seldom  went  there  but  at  monthly 
meetings.  I  now  became  more  acquainted  with  that  old  success- 
ful man  in  the  ministry,  Lewis  Craig.  His  orthodoxy  mainly  lay 
in  salvation  through  Christ,  by  unmerited  grace,  and  urging 
repentance  on  all  to  whom  he  preached.  He  had  the  most  strik- 
ing gift  of  exhortation  that  was  perhaps  in  use  in  Kentucky ; 
while  with  him  in  South  Elkhorn,  he  treated  me  as  a  father  would 
a  son." 

On  another  occasion,  referring  to  Craig,  he  says,  "  There  was 
but  one  church  on  the  north  side  of  Kentucky,  and  this  was  South 
Elkhorn,  where  Lewis  Craig  was  pastor.  Perhaps  in  the  month 
of  August,  1784,  I  became  a  member  of  that  church,  and  thus  I 
was  brought  under  his  pastoral  care.  He  was  then  in  the  prime 
of  his  life,  as  to  the  gospel  ministry — of  the  age  between  forty 
and  fifty.  Mr.  Craig  is  yet  living,  and  about  eighty-three  years 
old :  he  is  one  of  the  old  gospel  veterans  in  Yirginia,  where  he 
often  suffered  imprisonment  for  the  crime  of  preaching  repent- 
ance to  sinners." 

Writing  afterwards  respecting  the  expediency  of  forming  a  new 
church  at  Clear  Creek,  he  says,  "  We  held  a  council  on  the  sub- 
ject of  a  constitution,  but  we  found  a  difficulty,  in  this  way  :  a 
number  of  the  members  had  been  in  the  church,  with  Lewis  Craig, 
in  Yirginia,  and  in  the  traveling  church  through  the  wilderness, 
and  its  establishment  in  Kentucky,  and,  above  all,  if  we  had  a 
new  church,  we  might  lose  Lewis  Craig  as  our  pastor.  Though 
we  had  four  ordained  preachers,  all  of  us  did  not  make  one  Lewis 
Craig." 


JOSEPH   CRAIG.  91 

He  lived  to  advanced  age.  His  last  days  were  distinguished 
by  increased  spirituality  of  mind.  His  conversation  was  mostly 
on  heavenly  topics,  and  it  was  frequently  said  that  he  seemed  to 
enjoy  much  of  heaven  in  his  soul.  His  trials  had  been  greatly 
sanctified  to  his  good,  and,  like  a  little  child,  he  yielded  quietly  to 
the  will  of  his  Father.  He  died,  after  a  short  illness,  in  the 
eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

His  sermons  were  remarkable  for  their  evangelic  and  practical 
character.  He  possessed  an  easy  address,  his  language  was 
simple  and  flowing,  and  in  exhortation  excelled  most  of  his 
contemporaries.  Yery  often,  when  several  sermons  had  been 
preached,  without  producing,  apparently,  any  effect  upon  the 
people,  he  would  follow,  and  by  his  pathetic  appeals  produce 
almost  universal  feeling  in  the  congregation.  He  was  always 
very  industrious  in  his  habits,  and  strictly  temperate.  Endowed 
with  a  natural  sweetness  of  temper,  and  being  much  under  the 
influence  of  the  gospel,  he  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  classes  of 
men. 

John  Taylor  says  respecting  him,  "  Perhaps  there  was  never  found 
in  all  Kentucky  such  a  gift  of  exhortation  as  in  Lewis  Craig.  The 
sound  of  his  voice  would  make  men  tremble  and  rejoice.  The 
first  time  I  heard  him  preach,  I  seemed  to  hear  the  sound  of  his 
voice  for  many  months.  He  was  of  middle  stature,  rather  round- 
shouldered  ;  his  hair  black,  thick-set,  and  somewhat  curled ;  a 
pleasant  countenance  ;  free  spoken ;  and  his  company  very  interest- 
ing.    He  was  a  great  peace-maker  among  contending  parties." 


JOSEPH   CRAIG. 


Though  not  distinguished  for  those  peculiarities  which  ele- 
vated to  a  high  place,  in  the  affections  of  Virginia  Baptists,  the 
two  brothers  Lewis  and  Elijah  Craig,  it  will  not  be  proper  alto- 
gether to  pass  over  the  name  of  Joseph,  another  of  the  Craig 
family.  He  does  not  appear  to  have  risen  high  as  an  expounder 
of  the  Scriptures,  or  even  as  a  preacher.  Much  itinerant  labor, 
however,  was  performed  by  him,  and  not  without  success,    After 


92  JOSEPH  CRAIG 

preaching  for  some  years  in  Virginia,  he  settled  with  his  brothers 
in  Kentucky,  and  continued  there  to  exercise  his  ministerial 
fanctions.  He  is  said  to  have  been  at  times  very  eccentric.  On 
one  occasion,  at  Gruinea's  Bridge,  while  preaching,  he  was  appre- 
hended, and  an  attempt  made  to  carry  him  before  a  magistrate. 
Mr.  Semple  says,  "  Thinking  it  no  dishonor  to  cheat  the  devil,  as 
he  termed  it,  he  slipped  off  the  horse,  and  took  to  the  bushes. 
They  hunted  him  with  dogs,  but,  Asahel  like,  being  light  of  foot, 
he  made  good  his  retreat." 

Another  case  is  mentioned  by  John  Taylor.  He  is  represented 
to  have  been  pursued  by  his  persecutors,  and  climbing  into  a  tree, 
he  was  shaken  down,  his  hands  tied,  and  an  attempt  made  to 
carry  him  to  court.  He  said,  "  If  you  put  Joseph  Craig  in 
prison,  I  will  have  no  hand  in  it."  He  would  neither  walk  nor 
ride,  and  they  were  compelled  to  liberate  him.  Walking  along 
the  streets  of  Lexington,  some  young  men  resolved  to  indulge  in 
sport  at  his  expense,  by  asking  curious  questions.  His  only  reply 
was,  "  Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan;"  thus  turning  the  ridicule  of  all 
beholders  on  them. 

Crossing  a  ferry,  one  day,  when  he  offered  to  pay,  the  ferryman 
declined  receiving  it,  saying,  "Mr.  Craig,  you  may  pray  for  me." 
Reaching  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream,  Mr.  Craig  called  the 
man  to  him,  that  he  might  pray  for  him.  He  said,  "Not  now, 
Mr.  Craig."  But  the  preacher  said,  "I  will  not  go  away  in  your 
debt."  The  ferryman  disliked  it  much,  but  was  compelled  to 
submit,  and  Mr.  Craig  prayed  most  earnestly  for  his  deliverance 
from  the  captivity  of  sin. 

Says  John  Taylor,  "By  vigorous  industry  and  care  of  his  pro- 
perty, Mr.  Craig  made  a  good  estate.  He  reared  many  children, 
sons  and  daughters,  and  taught  them  all  habits  of  industry.  Find 
his  children  where  you  may,  they  are  surrounded  with  affluence, 
and  of  respectable  standing  among  men.  Nearly  all  of  them  also 
have  a  place  in  the  church  of  Christ.  Mr.  Craig  was  small 
of  stature,  stooping  shoulders,  of  a  hardy  complexion,  active  in 
business,  persevering  as  a  traveling  preacher,  or  rather  exhorter, 
for  in  that  lay  his  greatest  gift.  He  died  of  a  lingering  com- 
plaint, after  laboring  in  the  ministry,  say  fifty-nine  years.  His  age 
was  nearly  eighty. " 


WILLIAM  BASKETT.  93 


WILLIAM    BASKETT.* 

Elder  William  Baskett  was  born  in  Goochland  County, 
October,  IHl.  Having  descended  from  parents  who  were  poor, 
and  not  being  favored  with  the  means  of  education,  but  little  is 
known  of  him  until  his  twentieth  year,  about  which  time  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Pace,  who  was  also  a  native  of  G-oochland. 
In  this,  his  only  matrimonial  connection,  he  was  blessed  with 
thirteen  children,  eight  sons  and  five  daughters. 

From  his  earliest  years  he  had  been  impressed  with  ideas  of 
the  value  and  necessity  of  religion  ;  had  regularly  attended  public 
worship  ;  and  had  even  received,  as  he  advanced  in  age,  the 
Lord's  supper.  After  his  marriage  he  established  in  his  family 
morning  and  evening  service,  in  which  he  read  prayers.  This  he 
did  for  seven  years,  while  yet  he  had  not,  as  he  afterwards  dis- 
covered, known  or  felt  the  nature  and  effects  of  gospel  truth. 

About  this  period  his  neighborhood  began  to  be  visited  by 
Baptist  preachers.  Of  them  and  their  doctrines,  numerous  and 
different  reports  were  in  circulation.  The  first  of  these,  an  op- 
portunity to  hear  whom  presented  itself,  was  Brother  Corbley. 
He  went,  moved  partly  by  curiosity  and  partly  with  a  desire  to 
be  profited.  This  was  the  first  preacher  not  of  the  established 
church  that  he  had  ever  heard.  On  his  return  home  at  a  late 
hour  he  found  Mrs.  Baskett  waiting  patiently  to  be  informed  con- 
cerning the  new  preacher  and  his  tenets,  of  which  he  gave  a  de- 
scription before  he  received  any  refreshment.  Soon  afterwards 
they  both  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  Brother  Corbley,  and  of 
seeing  him  administer  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  The  minds  of 
both  became  now  so  much  concerned,  that  Mr.  Baskett,  to  use 
his  own  words,  "was  scarcely  able  to  follow  his  plough;"  and 
when  he  returned  from  the  field  he  frequently  found  his  wife 
engaged  in  prayer. 

While  filled  with  anxiety  as  to  what  they  should  do  to  be 
saved,  they  walked  on  a  dark  and  rainy  night  three  miles  to  hear 

*  By  Elder  Robert  Lilly. 


94  WILLIAM  BASKETT. 

a  preacher  of  the  established  church.  Mr.  Baskett  asked  the 
preacher  if  there  was  such  a  thing  to  be  entertained  as  a  hope  of 
personal  interest  in  the  merits  of  Christ ;  a  knowledge  of  accept- 
ance with  God  ?  The  preacher  replied,  that  for  his  own  part,  he 
felt  a  comfortable  hope  while  he  kept  the  commandments,  and  at 
no  other  time.  The  continued  distress  and  further  inquiries  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baskett  subjected  them  to  the  charge  on  the  part 
of  the  preacher  of  being  deranged.  The  circumstances  under 
which  he  obtained  comfort  are  found  in  the  following  extract  from 
a  letter  written  by  himself  a  little  before  his  death  : — 

"In  childhood  and  youth,  I  often  promised  God  I  would  serve 
him,  if  spared  to  be  a  man.  From  my  marriage,  in  my  twentieth, 
until  my  twenty-seventh  year,  I  attended  scrupulously  to  secret 
and  public  prayer  and  worship,  and  to  the  ordinance  of  the 
supper.  But,  now,  I  saw  myself  a  guilty,  undone  sinner;  and, 
during  eight  months,  was  without  comfort.  At  length,  one 
night  at  midnight,  on  my  bended  knees,  imploring  Divine  mercy 
through  Christ,  and  throwing  myself  at  the  disposal  of  sovereign 
grace,  my  mind  was  turned  to  the  words,  '  He  that  trusts  in  the 
Lord  shall  never  be  confounded.'  I  saw  that  'God  was,  in 
Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their 
trespasses  unto  them.'  For  several  days  my  heart  was  filled  with 
joy.  Since,  my  life  has  been  a  constant  warfare.  I  am  sensible 
of  much  remaining  imperfection,  but  cannot  fear  death  or  judg- 
ment. The  judge  is  himself  my  friend.  Nor  do  I  apprehend  de- 
struction by  my  spiritual  foes  or  my  trials.  It  is  God  who 
worketh  in  us  both  to  will  and  to  do.  In  six  troubles  he  is  witli 
us,  and  doth  not  forsake  us  in  the  seventh.  If  we  pass  through 
waters,  they  cannot  overflow  us ;  if  through  fires,  they  cannot 
burn  us.  I  believe  all  this  in  my  heart.  If  my  conduct  does  not 
agree  with  this,  place  no  confidence  in  me  or  what  I  say.  My 
desire  is  to  glorify  God  through  the  remainder  of  my  life.  The 
tree  is  best  known  by  its  fruits.  Please  to  send  me  an  account 
of  your  own  religious  experience." 

Not  long  afterwards  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baskett  were  baptized, 
together  with  two  other  neighbors,  by  Elder  Elijah  Craig. 
These  first  Baptists  of  that  vicinity  frequently  visited  each  other 
for  conversation- and  social  prayer.     Brother  B.  thought  himself 


WILLIAM  BASKETT.  95 

far  inferior  to  the  rest  of  this  little  company  in  scriptural  know- 
ledge ;  but  they  always  urged  him  forward,  and  he  was  soon 
employed  in  the  exhortation  of  his  neighbors,  who  attended  these 
meetings  for  the  purpose  of  hearing.  Others  made  a  profession 
of  faith  under  his  labors;  and  in  the  year  1774  a  church  was  con- 
stituted, called  Lisles,  consisting  of  eighteen  male  members  and 
thirty-two  white  female  members.  This  church  was  served  by 
Elder  Webber  as  pastor,  until  1787,  under  whose  ministry,  in  the 
course  of  two  years,  many  souls  were  added.  In  the  toils  of  this 
revival  Mr.  Baskett  shared  largely,  and  in  1789  he  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  an  evangelist.  Five  years  afterwards  Elder  Web- 
ber removed  to  Kentucky,  when  Elder  Baskett  was  called  to  the 
pastoral  office. 

From  this  time  until  the  year  1815,  he  was  blessed  in  his 
family  and  church.  His  faithfulness  and  zeal  as  a  pastor,  and  all 
his  conduct  in  his  domestic  aifairs,  were  exemplary.  He  lived  to 
see  all  his  children  married  and  settled,  and  himself  possessed  of 
extensive  property  which  had  gradually  increased  upon  his  hands. 
On  the  21st  of  April  his  aged  consort,  after  a  few  days'  indisposi- 
tion, fell  asleep  in  death.  The  next  Sabbath  he  preached  his  last, 
and  those  present  said  his  best  sermon,  from  the  words,  "  We  have 
no  continuing  city,  but  seek  one  to  come."  On  the  30th  of  the 
same  month,  his  own  tranquil  spirit  escaped  this  state  of  trial,  and 
went  to  the  enjoyment  of  rest.  In  his  illness  he  consented  to  re- 
ceive medical  aid,  he  said,  merely  to  gratify  his  friends.  He 
knew  he  was  about  to  depart,  and  found  his  soul  supported  by 
the  consolations  of  the  gospel,  and  cheered  and  sustained  by  its 
gracious  promises. 

The  removal  of  these  two  faithful  servants  was  improved  on 
the  24th  of  June  ensuing,  by  Elders  Purrington  and  Hiter. 
Elder  Hiter  preached  from  Phil.  i.  21 :  "  For  me  to  live,  is 
Christ;  to  die,  is  gain."  Elder  Purrington  from  2  Kings,  ii.  12 : 
"My  Father,  my  Father,  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  the  horsemen 
thereof."  The  large  concourse  which  assembled,  and  the  feelings 
they  manifested,  bespoke  the  excellence  of  those  pious  souls,  and 
the  high  veneration  and  affection  with  which  they  were  regarded. 
"The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 


96  JOHN  COURTNEY. 


JOHIS^    COUHTNEY.* 

The  Rev.  John  Courtney  was  born  in  the  County  of  King 
and  Queen,  about  the  year  1Y44.  His  parents  were  members  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  which,  of  course,  he  was 
himself  educated.  His  eldest  brother  as  well  as  his  father  were 
conspicuous  and  influential  members  of  that  church. 

Of  the  early  history  of  this  sincerely  loved  and  justly  venerated 
man,  scarcely  anything  is  known.  Although  he  was  in  after  life 
found  possessed  of  a  mind  and  heart  excellent,  in  no  ordinary 
degree  ;  and  although  his  labors  were  useful  to  an  extent  reached 
by  few  whose  names  have  been  echoed  far  and  wide,  yet,  in  the 
midst  of  his  toils,  fatigues,  and  success,  his  acquaintance  was 
almost  confined  to  his  native  State.  It  has  sometimes  happened 
that  men  of  superior  virtues  have  been  unknown  in  the  world,  as 
mines  of  inconceivable  value  lie  hid  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth. 
The  history  of  the  acts  of  the  Apostles  is  for  the  most  part 
limited  to  narrations  concerning  two  of  them,  Paul  and  Barnabas, 
who  were  themselves  not  of  the  twelve.  Enoch  was  doubtless  a 
man  of  distinguished  merit ;  yet  with  the  exception  of  his  age 
and  the  mention  of  the  fact  that  he  had  descendants,  his  bio- 
graphy by  Moses  is  contained  in  these  few  words,  "And  Enoch 
walked  with  God ;  and  he  was  not;  for  God  took  him."  IS'or 
had  we  been  favored  with  any  further  information  of  his  character, 
if,  after  a  lapse  of  thousands  of  years,  it  had  not  been  apparently 
by  accident  recorded,  "Enoch  also,  the  seventh  from  Adam,  pro- 
phesied of  these,  saying,  'Behold  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten 
thousands  of  his  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all.'" 

The  decease  of  his  father  left  him  an  orphan  when  young,  and 
the  possession  of  the  estate  according  to  law  devolving  on  the 
oldest  son,  it  was  determined,  as  soon  as  his  age  vrould  allow  it, 
that  John  should  be  bound  apprentice  to  the  business  of  car- 
penter. Ko  more  is  now  heard  of  him  until  having  arrived  at 
years   of  maturity  he   makes   his  appearance  abroad.     Thus  it. 

^  Prepared  by  Elder  Henry  Keeling. 


JOHN   COURTNEY.  97 

had  been  with  Him,  whom  Eldei'  Courtney  delighted  to  honor 
and  serve,  the  glorious  Redeemer.  From  the  age  of  twelve  to 
thirty  years  nothing  is  said  of  Him. 

Mr.  Courtney  as  a  man  possessed  a  generous,  frank,  and  nobly 
independent  spirit.  And  these  dispositions  were  remarkably  to 
be  observed  in  his  subsequent  character,  as  a  Christian  and  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.  This  coincidence  is,  no  doubt,  common. 
Enterprise,  decision,  perseverance,  and  boldness,  were  characteris- 
tics of  the  Apostle  Paul,  both  before  and  after  his  conversion  to 
the  faith  of  Christ ;  but  the  objects  toward  which  they  were 
directed  were  changed  by  his  conversion. 

At  what  period  of  life  he  entered  the  matrimonial  relationship 
is  rather  uncertain,  but  it  is  known  to  have  been  previous  to  his 
making  a  profession  of  religion.  His  conversion  is  dated  at  the 
great  revival  of  religion  which,  under  the  preaching  of  John 
Waller,  Lewis  Craig,  James  Childs,  John  Shackleford,  Robert 
"Ware,  Iverson  Lewis,  and  others,  secured  persecution,  even  to 
blows,  stripes,  and  imprisonments.  After  the  example  of  Moses, 
vfho  "chose  rather  to  suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  Grod, 
than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season,"  he  joined  himself 
to  the  persecuted,  and  with  them  identified  his  religious  interests, 
in  which  all  others  were  involved  to  a  much  greater  extent  than 
now,  when  liberty  is  enjoyed. 

Having  experienced  the  efficacy  of  gospel  truth  in  his  own 
heart,  he  soon  began  to  persuade  others  to  repent,  and  in  his  turn 
suffered  the  frowns  and  wrath  to  which  his  companions  had  been 
and  were  exposed.  At  about  this  time  the  Revolution  was  matur- 
ing its  plans,  and  within  a  few  years  the  independence  of  the 
United  States  was  declared.  Repeatedly  were  the  services  of  this 
man  of  God  required,  both  in  the  camp  and  in  the  field ;  since, 
although  considered  by  his  own  denomination  entitled  to  preach 
and  administer  church  ordinances,  not  having  been  ordained  ac- 
cording to  the  usages  of  the  Church  of  England,  he  was  not  re- 
cognized by  the  law  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  But  probably  if  the 
law  had  not  compelled  him,  his  patriotism  and  valor,  and  love  of 
liberty,  civil  and  religious,  would  have  taken  him  to  the  field. 

After  the  close  of  the  Revolution  he  removed  to  the  City  of 
Richmond.    Here,  in  addition  to  his  pastoral  labors,  he  "wrought 

VOL.  I. — G  9 


98  JOHN   COURTNEY. 

witli  his  own  hands,  mmistering  to  his  necessities,"  and  to  those 
of  such  as  were  "with  him."  During  a  period  of  more  than 
forty  years,  he  served  the  Baptist  Church  in  this  city  either  as 
their  exclusive  or  senior  pastor.  Faitlifulness,  affection,  disinte- 
restedness and  zeal,  marked  his  whole  career.  He  could  with 
propriety  adopt  the  language :  "  Therefore,  remember,  that  I 
ceased  not  to  warn  every  one  night  and  day  with  tears.  I  have 
coveted  no  man's  silver,  or  gold,  or  apparel.  I  have  showed  you 
all  things,  how,  that  so  laboring,  ye  ought  to  support  the  weak  ; 
and  to  remember  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said,  '  It 
is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."^ 

Elder  Courtney  did  not  enjoy  the  advantage  of  education.  It 
is  well  known  that  in  his  early  days  these  were  confined  to  the 
opulent  and  great.  In  this  Colony  only  one  college  existed, 
William  and  Mary  in  Williamsburg ;  and  all  the  Colonies  besides 
could  number  only  four.  Had  the  means  of  learning  been  as 
abundant  then  as  now,  his  aspiring  mind  had  elevated  itself  to  the 
rank  of  any  of  his  contemporaries.  It  was,  indeed,  among  the 
endeavors  of  those  who  were  in  power,  to  prevent  the  progress 
of  letters  and  the  diffusion  of  knowledge. 

But  how  much  even  the  want  of  learning  may  have  been 
instrumental  in  contributing  to  the  excellency  of  this  distin- 
guished man,  it  is  not  possible  to  imagine.  Want  of  learning  is  a 
great  disadvantage  and  riiisfortune.  Yet  it  is  as  easy  to  con- 
ceive that  even  this  may  be  made  conducive  to  a  man's  virtue 
and  usefulness,  as  it  is  to  conceive  that  the  barrenness  of  a  soil 
may  promote  the  wealth  of  its  inhabitants,  by  creating  enterprise, 
industry,  and  economy. 

It  is  truly  desirable  that  ministers  of  the  gospel  be  well  edu- 
cated men.  But  this  should  never  form  the  base  of  their  qualifi- 
cations. And  who  will  assume  the  responsibility  of  saying  that 
none  but  classical  and  scientific  men  shall  preach  ?  or  who  will 
name  the  attainments  requisite  to  be  made  ?  Education  is  im- 
portant in  an  orator  or  statesman ;  yet  with  such  a  one  as  could 
not  be  called  classical,  Patrick  Henry  inspired  and  roused  into 
effort  a  nation,  and  the  immortal  Washington  conducted  it  to 
freedom.  And  an  Apostle  declares,  "  I,  brethren,  come  not  unto 
you  with  excellency  of  speech,  or  of  man's  wisdom,  declaring 


JOHN   COURTNEY.  99 

unto  you  the  testimony  of  God  ;  but  was  with  you  in  weakness, 
and  fear,  and  much  trembling."  But  he  was  a  man  of  strong 
and  rational  powers,  candor,  godly  sincerity,  knowledge  of  things 
and  men,  acquaintance  with  the  Word  of  God,  ardent  devotion, 
and  exemplary  life.  He  did  not  direct  others  to  the  path  of  life, 
and  himself  wander  in  the  road  to  death.  More  than  half  a  cen- 
tury proves  the  genuineness  of  a  profession  which  he  had  made 
when  it  was  unfashionable  and  hazardous. 

In  the  performance  of  pastoral  duty,  assistance  was  found 
necessary,  during  the  last  fourteen  years  of  his  life.  Of  these,  he 
was  aided  nine  years  by  the  Rev.  John  Brice  ;  one  by  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Broaddus  ;  and  three  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Keeling. 

Por  four  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  seldom,  if  ever,  at- 
tempted to  preach ;  but  was  nevertheless  employed  in  the  work 
of  his  Lord  and  Master.  Long  will  his  faithful  visits  be  remem- 
bered. Even  when  debility  prevented  him  from  being  able  to  dis- 
mount from  his  horse,  he  rode  from  door  to  door,  to  encourage, 
counsel,  and  exhort.  As  the  termination  of  his  days  approached, 
his  decline  was  evident.  It  was  the  privilege  of  the  writer  of 
this  sketch  to  be  frequently  with  him.  The  lessons  of  patience, 
gratitude,  and  heavenly-mindedness,  which  his  appearance  and 
conversation  inculcated,  will  never  be  forgotten.  In  the  deepest 
affliction  he  not  only  did  not  complain,  but  rendered  thanks  to 
God. 

On  the  18th  of  December,  1824,  this  servant  of  God  went  to 
receive  his  reward.  Having  lived  the  life  of  the  righteous,  he 
died  his  death.  With  a  "  hope,  full  of  immortality,"  he  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus.  In  few  instances  can  the  declaration  of  Paul  the 
Apostle  have  been  more  appropriate:  "I  have  fought  a  good 
fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith  ;  henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord, 
the  righteous  Judge,  will  give  unto  me  at  that  day,  and  not  unto 
me  only,  but  unto  all  them  that  love  his  appearing."  Sixteen 
years  before  him,  the  partner  of  his  youth  and  riper  years  entered 
that  "  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God." 


loo  JOHN  KOONTZ. 


JOHN  KOOIsTTZ. 

It  is  a  pleasing  task  to  review  the  lives  of  those  who  have  been 
leaders  in  promoting  any  important  reformation  among  their 
fellow-men.  Especially  does  such  a  review  become  interesting,  if 
numerous  and  severe  trials  have  been  cheerfully  sustained  for  the 
sake  of  Christ  and  his  kingdom.  Who  does  not  find  a  melan- 
choly delight  in  perusing  the  brief  narrative  which  the  sacred 
historian  gives  of  the  first  martyr's  zeal  and  sufferings  ?  How 
nobly  does  he  plead  for  God,  and  how  faithfully  does  he  expose 
the  evil  and  danger  of  sin  !  With  what  constancy  and  meekness 
does  he  fall  beneath  the  shower  of  stones  with  which  his  bloody 
persecutors  assailed  him  !  Numerous  instances  of  the  sacrifice  of 
life  or  of  worldly  enjoyment  for  Christ's  sake  have  occurred  since 
the  days  of  Stephen,  all  of  which  furnish  indubitable  evidence  of 
the  divinity  of  the  gospel. 

Among  those  who  suffered  for  the  name  of  Christ  among  the 
early  Virginia  Baptists,  was  Elder  John  Koontz.  He  was,  by 
extraction  and  birth,  a  German.  At  the  time  of  his  conversion, 
he  resided  in  Frederick,  near  Front  Royal.  In  that  county  he 
was  baptized,  December,  1Y68.  Shortly  after  he  was  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  For  several  months  his  efforts  were  con- 
fined to  the  vicinity  of  his  residence.  But  in  the  latter  part  of 
1770  he  visited  his  brother,  then  residing  in  Shenandoah,  and 
finding  the  people  generally  ignorant  of  those  things  which  be- 
longed to  their  peace,  he  began  to  exhort  them  to  escape  the 
wrath  to  come.  The  sentiments  he  advanced,  and  the  benevolent 
zeal  with  which  he  inculcated  them,  excited  universal  attention. 
Yast  crowds  attended  his  ministrations  ;  nor  did  they  hear  in 
vain.  The  Lord  opened  their  hearts  to  receive  the  word,  and 
caused  the  truth  to  be  mighty  in  their  deliverance  from  the  king- 
dom of  darkness.  As  the  excitement  increased,  and  many  found 
redemption  in  Christ,  several  other  Baptist  ministers  visited  the 
county,  and  assisted  this  young  laborer  in  gathering  the  harvest. 
At  that  time  he  was  not  ordained.  Those  who  believed  in  Christ, 
were  baptized  by  Elder  Samuel  Harriss,  while  Mr.  Koontz  con- 


JOHN   KOONTZ.  101 

tinued  to  lift  up  his  voice  like  a  trumpet,  to  cry  aloud  and  spare 
not.  With  unwearied  assiduity  he  availed  himself  of  all  facilities 
to  preach  a  crucified  Saviour.  In  that  settlement  there  were 
many  Germans,  to  whom  his  ministry  was  much  blessed.  Fre- 
quently to  the  same  congregation  he  would  preach,  first  in  Dutch, 
and  then  in  English. 

These  efforts,  in  connection  with  the  labors  of  Elder  John  Picket 
and  others,  resulted  in  the  constitution  of  Whitehouse,  since  called 
Mill  Creek  Church,  in  1712.  At  this  time  there  were  two  mem- 
bers who  employed  their  talents  in  preaching  the  gospel,  and  in 
making  choice  of  one  of  these  to  be  their  pastor,  some  difference 
of  sentiment  existed,  by  which  they  remained  a  short  period  un- 
supplied.  But  ultimately,  having  prevailed  on  Mr.  Koontz  to 
remove  from  Frederick  and  settle  among  them,  they  unani- 
mously elected  him  to  that  office.  This  occurred  in  1776,  when 
he  was  ordained. 

During  the  first  years  of  Elder  Koontz's  ministerial  labor  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mill  Creek,  his  progress  was  much  impeded  by  the 
opposition  of  some  German  Menonists,  a  sect  which  prevailed  in 
that  region.  Several  of  these  heard  and  received  the  truth.  A 
very  considerable  excitement  was  produced  in  consequence  of  this 
circumstance,  and  as  Elder  Koontz  was  the  principal  instrument 
in  the  revival,  they  directed  their  shafts  against  him.  Mr. 
Semple  thus  describes  this  event:  "In  order  to  overturn  the 
works  of  Satan,  as  they  called  it,  they  sent  for  preachers  from 
Pennsylvania.  In  some  short  time  four  or  five  Pennsylvania 
Menonist  preachers  came.  They  labored  much  to  prevent  the 
work  then  going  on.  They  conceived,  as  he  could  preach  in 
Dutch,  that  John  Koontz  was  the  chief  cause  of  this  disturbance, 
and  thought  if  he  could  be  convinced,  or  by  any  means  checked, 
there  would  be  no  more  of  it.  To  this  end  the  preachers  came 
to  his  house,  and  labored  much  to  convince  him.  They  contended 
that  Christians  ought  not  to  hold  with  going  to  war,  with  slavery, 
or  taking  legal  oaths  ;  that  these  were  fundamental  points.  To 
this  Mr.  Koontz  replied,  that  the  Baptists  upon  these  points  left 
every  man  at  his  own  discretion,  wishing  each  to  follow  the  dictates 
of  his  own  conscience.  He  then  questioned  them  as  to  the  reason 
of  their  hope  in  Christ,  whether  they  had  felt  the  power  of  godli- 

9* 


102  JOHN    KOONTZ. 

ness  in  their  hearts,  or  whether  they  relied  upon  their  nursery 
faith.  He  found  them  entire  strangers  to  vital  godliness,  denying 
the  existence  thereof.  They  left  him,  and  held  meetings  in  the 
neighborhood  two  days,  striving  publicly  and  privately  against 
the  revival  then  happily  progressing.  Their  labor  was  in  vain ; 
God  still  added  to  his  people  such  as  should  be  saved." 

Perhaps  no  Baptist  in  the  United  States  has  suffered  more  at 
the  hands  of  opposers  than  did  this  servant  of  the  Lord.  Various 
means  were  employed  to  deter  him  from  speaking  in  the  name  of 
Christ.  Like  his  Master  he  was  treated  with  contumely  and 
scorn.  They  threatened  him  with  imprisonment  and  stripes. 
But,  sustained  by  an  Almighty  arm,  he  continued  steadfast  to  his 
purpose.  To  please  God,  rather  than  man,  was  the  desire  of  his 
soul.  Conscious  of  the  rectitude  of  his  heart,  and  the  scriptural 
character  of  the  principles  he  inculcated,  he  was  ready,  with  Paul, 
not  to  be  bound  only,  but  also  to  die  for  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  His  firmness  in  passing  through  the  furnace  will  be 
evinced  in  referring  to  an  extract  from  the  history  of  the  "Virginia 
Baptists.  "Once  Mr.  Koontz  was  met  on  the  road  and  beaten. 
On  another  occasion,  he  attended  a  meeting  toward  Smith's 
Creek.  When  he  arrived  at  the  place  he  was  met  by  a  set  of  ruf- 
fians, who  forbade  his  preaching.  One  Captain  Leahorn,  a 
respectable  man,  interfered  and  insisted  he  should  preach,  and 
prevailed.  The  persecutors,  however,  threw  out  heavy  threats, 
that  if  he  ever  came  that  way  upon  that  errand  again  they  would 
beat  him  severely.  Mr.  K.  could  not  be  deterred  from  coming, 
and  they  kept  their  word.  He  went  not  long  after.  His  enemies 
had  thrown  in  money  and  hired  a  son  of  darkness  to  beat  him. 
Accordingly,  as  soon  as  he  arrived,  the  miscreant  began  to  strike 
him  with  the  butt  end  of  a  large  cane — requiring  him  to  promise 
never  to  come  there  again.  This  Mr.  K.  refused  to  do.  The 
fellow  continued  beating  until  he  had  almost  disabled  him.  Then 
he  left  him.  While  thus  suffering  Mr.  K.  felt  nothing  more  than 
a  firm  determination  not  to  yield.  But  the  savage  had  left  him 
but  a  few  steps  before  he  felt  his  soul  exceedingly  comforted.  He 
could  then  thank  God  that  he  was  counted  worthy  to  suffer  per- 
secution for  the  name  of  Christ. 

"  Some  time  after  this  he  and  Martin  Kaufman  went  to  a  place 


JOHN   KOONTZ.  103 

about  six  or  seven  miles  from  thence,  and  while  they  were  pre- 
paring to  preach  he  heard  a  man  in  a  room  adjoining  that  in 
which  he  and  Mr.  Kaufman  were  sitting,  inquire  for  Mr.  Koontz. 
When  he  heard  the  inquiry  he  immediately  suspected  that  some 
mischief  was  in  agitation,  and  stepped  into  a  third  room,  out  of 
sight.  The  man,  who  had  probably  been  instigated  by  some 
other  persons,  did  not  know  either  Koontz  or  Kaufman.  When 
he  came  into  the  room  he  supposed  Martin  Kaufman  to  be  John 
Koontz,  and  without  asking  any  questions  fell  upon  him  with  a 
stick;  or  something  of  the  kind.  It  was  not  until  he  had  received 
many  blows  that  he  could  convince  the  persecutor  that  he  was 
not  named  Koontz.  In  the  mean  time  the  man's  wrath  was  satis- 
fied, and  he  went  off  without  finding  Mr.  Koontz. 

"  On  another  occasion  he  attended  an  appointment,  but  before 
he  had  begun  to  preach  they  took  him  off  and  said  they  would 
carry  him  to  prison.  At  a  small  distance  from  the  place  they 
met  a  man  coming  to  meeting ;  he  said  he  had  come  to  hear  Mr. 
K.  preach;  that  they  should  not  carry  him  any  farther,  and  at- 
tempted to  rescue  him.  But  the  persecutors  beat  him  off.  When 
they  had  carried  him  a  small  distance  farther  he  said  to  them, 
'  Take  heed  what  you  do  ;  if  I  am  a  man  of  God,  you  fight  against 
God.'  One  of  the  party  w^as  immediately  alarmed.  The  warn- 
ing dropped  was  owned  of  God,  working  in  him  a  repentance  not 
to  be  repented  of.  They  had  proceeded  but  a  little  way  be- 
fore the  whole  company  began  to  relent,  and  agreed  to  let  him 
go.  The  man  who  first  took  the  alarm,  and  two  or  three  more 
of  the  company,  afterw-ards  became  Baptists." 

The  valuable  labors  of  this  devoted  man  were  not  circumscribed 
by  the  county  in  which  he  lived.  They  were  extended  to  the 
adjacent  Counties  of  Culpepper,  Rockingham,  Hardy,  etc.  etc. 
He  was  the  chief  means  of  the  formation  of  Lunie's  Creek  Church. 
Several  years  after  their  constitution,  when  in  quite  a  declining 
state,  they  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  supply  of  minivSterial  labor 
from  him,  although  he  was  compelled  to  ride  about  seventy  miles. 
Lost  River  Church  also  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  his  direct  influence 
for  some  time. 

Speaking  of  Elder  Koontz,  in  1809,  (several  years  before  his 
death,)  Mr.  Semple  says:  "From  the  time  of  his  initiation  into 


104  JOHN  MUNROE. 

the  ministry  until  this  day,  he  has  continued  faithfully  to  declare 
the  counsel  of  God.  Among  the  Baptists  there  have  been  many 
active  and  laborious  preachers,  whose  souls  have  glowed  with 
seraphic  ardor  :  leaning  upon  the  sacred  promises,  they  were 
willing  to  suffer  with  Christ  here  that  they  might  reign  with  him 
hereafter.  But  considering  Mr.  Koontz's  unwearied  labors  in  the 
ministry ;  the  length  of  time  in  which  he  has  been  engaged,  (about 
forty  years ;)  considering  that  he  has  a  constitution  that  has  seldom 
or  never  failed  him,  requiring  short  and  few  intervals  of  rest,  it 
may  be  fairly  stated  that  few,  if  any,  in  the  State  have  surpassed 
him  as  to  the  amount  of  service  devoted  to  his  Lord's  vineyard. 
He  has  been  a  laborer  indeed,  and  will  no  doubt  receive  his  full 
wages  whenever  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  shall  reckon  with  his 
servants." 

The  same  honorable  testimony  to  his  fidelity  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry  is  borne  by  those  who  knew  him  to  the  end  of  life.  His 
views  on  the  subject  of  believers'  baptism  were  of  the  most  uncom- 
promising kind.  The  same  may  be  said  respecting  the  doctrinal 
truths  of  the  gospel.  In  his  defence  of  what  he  believed  to  be 
the  counsel  of  God  he  was  faithful.  When  he  was  called  from  his 
earthly  labors  he  was  between  eighty  and  ninety  years  of  age. 


JOHN    MUNROE,   M.D. 


Born  in  1149.  In  his  twenty-first  year  he  became  pious  and 
entered  the  ministry.  He  was  also  a  practitioner  of  medicine. 
He  is  represented  in  Semple's  History  as  having  been  very  useful 
for  many  years  in  the  County  of  Fauquier.  "  In  the  pulpit,"  says 
the  historian,  "  he  is  a  man  of  solemn  dignity,  warm  address,  and 
speaks  as  one  having  authority.  He  frequently  takes  up  contested 
subjects,  and  his  opponents  sometimes  complain  that  at  such 
seasons  he  administers  very  strong  corrosives.  The  Doctor,  how- 
ever, independent  of  this,  preaches  the  gospel  of  peace  in  power 
and  demonstration  of  the  spirit." 

Before  he  removed  to  Hampshire  County  he  was  instrumental 


WILLIAM   MARSHALL.  105 

in  founding  several  churches,  particularly  Upper  Carter's  E,un 
and  Long  Branch.  After  his  removal  also,  the  Lord  made  his 
efforts  a  blessing  to  his  cause.  He  became  the  pastor  of  'New 
River  and  Crooked  Run  Churches  in  Hampshire,  and  afterwards 
of  Buckmarsh,  Frederick. 

His  demise  occurred  at  his  residence,  on  Big  Capon,  Virginia, 
on  the  Itth  of  August,  1824.  In  noticing  this  event,  a  Christian 
brother  remarks :  "  Few  men  have  been  instrumental  in  doing 
more  good.  He  was  a  warm,  experimental,  and  practical  preacher 
of  righteousness.  The  last  sermon  he  ever  preached  was  on  a 
day  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  solemnly  set  apart  by  the 
church  at  Buckmarsh,  (of  which  he  was  pastor,)  on  account  of  the 
dreadful  disease  which  was  spreading  through  the  neighborhood. 
On  that  occasion  he  was  warmer  than  we  ever  saw  him  before ; 
his  whole  soul  seemed  engaged.  His  text  was  Joel,  ii.  1.  'Blow 
ye  the  trumpet  in  Zion,  and  sound  an  alarm  in  my  holy  mountain  : 
let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  tremble,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord 
cometh,  for  it  is  nigh  at  hand.' 

'  He  preached  as  though  he  ne'er  should  preach  again, 
And  as  a  dying  man  to  dying  men.'  " 

On  the  succeeding  Sunday  his  aged  wife  followed  him  to  the 
grave.  She  had  for  many  years  been  a  pious  and  exemplary 
member  of  the  Baptist  church.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die 
in  the  Lord ;  from  henceforth,  yea  saith  the  spirit,  they  rest  from 
their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 


WILLIAM    MARSHALL. 

William  Marshall  was  born  in  the  Northern  JSTeck,  1735. 
His  connections  were  highly  respectable,  he  being  an  uncle  of 
Chief  Justice  Marshall.  In  early  life  he  was  remarkable  for  his 
devotion  to  the  fashionable  amusements  of  the  day.  His  tall, 
graceful  form,  dark  piercing  eye,  and  engaging  manners,  rendered 
him  the  pride  of  the  circle  in  which  he  moved.  Until  he  reached 
years  of  maturity  he  continued  a  neglecter  of  God  and  his  salvation, 


106  WILLIAM  MARSHALL. 

having  had  very  few  opportunities  of  hearing  the  gospel  in  its 
purity  proclaimed.  In  the  year  1168,  he  was  providentially 
brought  under  the  ministry  of  those  who  were  then  called  New 
Lights,  and  became  the  subject  of  deep  concern.  So  great  was  his 
distress,  that  for  a  time  he  despaired  of  salvation.  But  the  Lord 
in  mercy  relieved  his  painful  anxiety.  This  occurred  in  the  County 
of  Fauquier.  He  soon  joined  the  Baptists,  and  entered  the  field 
of  ministerial  labor. 

The  conversion  of  this  votary  of  fashion  excited  the  surprise  of 
many.  Especially  were  they  amazed,  that  an  individaal  of  so 
much  distinction  should  have  united  with  a  sect  everywhere  spoken 
against.  His  ministry  was  attended  by  crowds.  Most  of  his 
auditors  were  prompted  by  curiosity,  desiring  to  hear  what  the 
convert  would  say  respecting  the  change  he  had  experienced; 
others  went,  supposing  him  to  be  deranged ;  and  a  few  to  mock 
and  oppose  him.     He,  however,  was  undaunted  : 

"  His  tongue  broke  out  in  unknown  strains, 
And  sung  surprising  grace." 

The  word  preached  was  not  in  vain,  but  was  attended  with  the 
Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven.  One  of  the  most  remarkable 
seasons  of  ingathering  which  Virginia  has  ever  known  resulted 
from  his  labors.  The  enemies  of  the  truth  were  much  enraged, 
and  determined,  if  possible,  to  arrest  the  march  of  this  new  doc- 
trine ;  they  seized  Mr.  M.  and  attempted  to  put  him  in  prison, 
but  his  brother,  Col.  Thomas  Marshall,  interfered,  and  succeeded 
in  obtaining  his  release.  He  continued  to  preach  in  the  County 
of  Fauquier  with  unabated  zeal  and  success.  Among  the  seals  to 
his  ministry  were  John  Taylor  and  Joseph  Redding,  who  afterwards 
became  popular  and  useful  laborers  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He 
subsequently  visited  the  County  of  Shenandoah  and  there  preached 
with  equal  success.  Thousands  came  to  see  and  hear  him.  It  is 
said  that  large  congregations  would  stand  in  deep  snow  with  the 
utmost  patience,  while  he  declared  to  them  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  Christ.  The  first  baptism  in  the  waters  of  the  Shenandoah 
was  performed  by  Elder  Samuel  Harriss  in  11  TO.  At  this  time, 
as  the  result  principally  of  Marshall's  labors,  fifty-three  went  down 


WILLIAM   MARSHALL.  107 

into  the  liquid  grave,  and  were  thus  buried  with  their  adorable 
Lord  in  that  ordinance. 

For  several  years  he  continued  his  itinerant  labors.  Indeed,  at 
that  time  he  was  scarcely  qualified  for  any  other  than  the  work  of 
an  evangelist.  The  burden  of  his  discourses  was  "repent  and 
believe  the  gospel."  Surrounded  by  a  moral  wilderness,  he  saw 
the  necessity  of  clearing  the  ground  before  it  could  become  a 
fruitful  field.  There  had  not  been  time  to  investigate  the  myste- 
ries of  the  gospel  or  to  prepare  himself  for  expounding  the  word 
of  God.  His  chief  object  was  to  warn  men  of  the  danger  of  living 
and  dying  in  sin,  and  the  necessity  of  turning  to  the  Lord  through 
Jesus  Christ.  He  was  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  energetic 
preachers  who  ever  raised  their  voices  in  "Virginia.  He  afterwards 
became  the  pastor  of  Happy  Creek  Church.  This  station  he 
occupied  but  a  short  time.  In  1T80  he  removed  to  Kentucky, 
and  settled  in  what  is  now  called  Shelby  County.  Shortly  after 
this,  by  a  fall  from  his  horse,  he  was  so  disabled  as  to  disqualify 
him  for  preaching.  During  this  confinement  he  found  leisure  for 
reading  and  meditation,  and  when  he  recovered  he  was  much  more 
doctrinal  and  systematic  in  his  pulpit  efforts.  His  broken  bones 
were  imperfectly  united,  and  in  consequence  he  suffered  much 
pain.  ^Notwithstanding  this  he  traveled  extensively,  and  preached 
with  his  wonted  zeal.  "It  was,"  says  a  cotemporary  preacher, 
"  interesting  to  see  this  old  man  assisted  to  the  stand  and  propped 
up  by  his  friends,  and  to  hear  him  pour  forth  the  most  delightful 
strains  of  gospel  truth.  His  strong  mind,  deep  research,  and 
prayerful  spirit,  well  qualified  him  to  clear  the  subjects  he  discussed 
of  all  ambiguity.  He  was  rather  inclined  to  consider  the  command 
to  wash  the  disciples'  feet,  etc.,  as  obligatory  on  all  Christians." 

He  was  a  man  of  much  prayer;  when  traveling  in  company 
with  his  brethren  he  was  fond  of  alighting  from  his  horse  and  with 
them  presenting  supplications  to  the  mercy-seat.  As  he  advanced 
to  the  close  of  life  he  grew  in  grace,  and  became  more  conformed 
to  the  Divine  image.  He  died  in  1808,  in  the  seventy-third  year 
of  his  age  and  in  the  hope  of  immortal  life. 


108  JOHN  CORBLEY. 


JOHN    CORBLEY.* 

John  Corbley  was  born  in  Great  Britain  in  1T33,  and  while  a 
boy  agreed  to  serve  four  years  for  his  passage  to  Pennsylvania. 
When  his  time  expired  he  removed  to  Winchester,  Virginia,  and 
ultimately  to  Berkeley  County  :  here,  in  a  conversation  with  Elder 
Garrard,  he  was  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  lost  condition.  He 
was  baptized  by  Mr.  Garrard,  and  began  to  preach.  Becoming 
conspicuous  as  a  leader  among  the  Baptists,  the  enemies  of  reli- 
gion considered  him  worthy  of  a  prison.  He  was  accordingly  put 
into  Culpepper  jail,  where  he  stayed  a  considerable  time.  Here  he 
was  exceedingly  useful.  He  was  regularly  in  the  habit  of  preach- 
ing, from  the  windows  of  his  prison,  the  gospel  of  peace.  After 
his  liberation  he  suffered  in  various  methods,  being  often  threat- 
ened with  death.  Not  unfrequently  was  he  taken  from  the  pulpit 
and  cruelly  beaten,  after  having  been  dragged  from  place  to  place. 
The  exact  year  in  which  he  was  imprisoned  is  not  known,  but  it 
was  probably  previous  to  I'llO,  for  in  1Y69  he  was  a  delegate 
from  Mountain  Run  Church,  in  Culpepper,  to  the  Ketockton 
Association,  and  acted  as  their  clerk.  His  name  does  not  appear 
on  the  minutes  again  until  1775,  when  he  comes  as  the  represen- 
tative of  a  church  called  Goshen,  in  Redstone  Settlement,  Penn- 
sylvania. It  appears  that  he  had  moved  there  several  years 
previous  to  this,  and  in  conjunction  with  Isaac  Sutton,  had 
planted  the  first  three  or  four  churches  in  the  Redstone  Settlement. 

His  first  wife  was  of  the  Quaker  persuasion,  and  was  married 
to  him  previous  to  his  profession  of  religion.  She  proved  a  thorn 
in  his  side  during  her  life.  She  died,  and  he  married  a  most 
amiable  woman,  by  whom  he  had  several  children.  But  how 
delusory  is  all  earthly  bliss  !  The  Indians,  for  many  years,  were 
exceedingly  troublesome  in  the  Redstone  country.  Mr.  Corbley 
and  his  wife  and  children,  on  a  Sunday  morning,  started  to  walk 
to  the  meeting-house,  less  than  half  a  mile  from  his  house.  After 
going  a  short  distance,  it  was  found  that  his  Bible,  which  he  had 

*  By  Ft.  B.  Semple,  with  altei'ations. 


JOHN   CORBLEY.  109 

given  his  wife  to  carry,  had  been  forgotten.  He  went  back  after 
it.  On  his  return  to  overtake  his  family  he  saw  two  Indians 
running,  one  of  whom  made  a  direful  yell.  He  suspected  an 
attack,  and  ran  to  a  fort  about  half  a  mile  off  and  obtained  assist- 
ance. When  they  came  to  the  place,  he  found  his  wife  killed 
with  a  tomahawk,  and  the  infant  which  she  had  in  her  arms  thrown 
across  her  breast,  with  its  brains  dashed  out  against  a  tree.  Three 
of  the  other  children  were  killed,  and  two  scalped  and  wounded 
that  afterwards  recovered.  Only  one,  a  little  boy,  escaped  unhurt. 
He  was  attacked,  but  a  dog  seized  the  Indian  that  was  pursuing 
him,  by  which  he  got  into  the  bushes  and  hid  himself  The  feel- 
ings of  Mr.  Corbley  on  this  afflicting  occasion  are  beyond  descrip- 
tion. He  fell  into  a  melancholy  state  of  mind,  during  which  he 
was  scarcely  able  to  preach.  Reflecting,  at  length,  that  the  hand 
of  Providence  was  visible  in  the  preservation  of  his  own  life,  he 
took  courage  and  recommenced  his  labors.  In  that  country, 
though  thinly  settled,  his  ministry  was  very  effectual,  three  or  four 
hundred  having  been  baptized  by  him.  He  was  a  man  of  eminent 
gifts,  and  esteemed  by  most  a  very  pious  Christian.  His  success 
drew  upon  him  the  resentment  of  the  wicked,  which  they  vented 
in  a  very  diabolical  manner.  A  base  woman  accused  him  of 
making  frequent  criminal  proposals  to  her,  and  offered  to  confirm 
it  by  a  solemn  oath.  Although  he  knew  it  to  be  false,  and  the 
church  did  not  believe  it,  yet  he  thought  it  best  to  remain  silent, 
and  not  preach  until  it  could  by  some  means  be  cleared  up.  The 
woman  was  cited  to  appear  before  a  magistrate,  in  order  to  swear 
her  to  what  she  aflSrmed,  and  in  the  mean  time  the  church  earnestly 
engaged  in  prayer.  When  she  came  before  the  magistrate  she 
was  taken  with  a  trembling,  and  for  some  time  remained  speech- 
less. Some  wished  to  excuse  her  and  let  it  pass  off;  but  Mr. 
Corbley  insisted  on  her  swearing,  which  she  did,  and  expressly 
declared  his  innocence,  and  said  it  was  a  plot  laid  by  certain 
persons  whom  she  named. 

He  was  sick  but  a  short  time  previous  to  his  decease.  On  the 
9th  of  June,  1803,  the  day  of  his  death,  he  had  an  appointment 
to  preach ;  but  being  ill,  his  brethren  and  friends  met  at  his 
dweUing,  when,  as  well  as  he  could,  he  addressed  them.  A  few 
minutes  previous  to  his  departure  he  asked  for  his  hymn-book 

10 


110  ELIJAH   BAKER. 

read,  and  sung  a  few  lines.  Thus  this  man  of  God  ended  his 
ministerial  labors,  leaving  this  world  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  A 
large  connection  of  relations  and  brethren  in  Christ  survived  to 
lament  their  loss, — but  their  loss  was  his  gain.  His  funeral  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Elder  David  Phillips,  from  Rev.  xiv.  13 : 
"Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth; 
yea,  saith  the  spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors,  and 
their  works  do  follow  them."  He  was  buried  with  the  following 
inscription  on  his  tombstone  : — 

Death,  thou  hast  conquered  me  ; 

I  by  thy  dart  am  slain ; 
Eut  Jesus  Christ  shall  conquer  thee, 

And  I  shall  rise  again. 

In  the  course  of  his  ministry  he  had  two  public  debates  on  the 
subject  of  baptism,  one  with  a  Methodist  minister  by  the  name  of 
Cook,  and  the  other  with  a  Mr.  John  Armstrong,  a  Presbyterian. 
In  both  cases  he  ably  defended  the  views  of  the  Baptists,  greatly 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Baptist  churches,  and  to  the  advantage 
of  the  cause  of  truth.  Subsequently  he  wrote  an  able  defence 
of  believers'  baptism  in  a  pamphlet  of  some  size,  in  answer  to  the 
above-named  Mr.  Cook. 

Mr.  Corbley,  though  a  good  preachei",  was  thought  to  do  more 
good  out  of  the  pulpit  than  in  it.  He  generally  after  preaching 
mingled  with  the  congregation,  and,  by  singing  and  exhortation, 
made  very  serious  impressions.  He  was  greatly  beloved  as  a 
Christian  and  minister.  His  sentiments  were  Calvinistic,  being 
opposed  alike  to  Arminianism  and  fatalism.  Among  the  churches 
formed  through  his  instrumentality  two  or  more  are  in  Yirginia. 


ELIJAH    BAKER. 

The  biography  of  Elijah  Baker  will,  no  doubt,  be  read  with 
special  interest  in  many  portions  of  our  State,  on  account  of  the 
wide  range  he  was  allowed  to  take  in  preaching  the  gospel  of 
Christ.     A  brief  review  of  his  life  may  be  profitable  to  all.  in 


ELIJAH   BzVKEPv.  HI 

illustrating  how  much  may  be  done  by  one  man,  who,  with  single- 
ness of  purpose  and  energy  of  action,  consecrates  his  talents  to  the 
good  of  his  fellow-men. 

Elder  Baker  was  born  in  Lunenburg  County,  in  1142.  That 
no  flesh  may  glory  in  His  presence,  God  often  selects  the  weak 
things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  things  that  are  mighty.  His 
purposes  are  not  unfrequently  effected  by  instrumentscomparatively 
insignificant.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  of  humble 
parentage,  and  the  earlier  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  obscurity. 
He  very  soon  exhibited  an  ardent  temperament,  which  led  him 
into  the  indulgence  of  many  popular  vices.  He  was  a  lover  of 
pleasure  more  than  a  lover  of  Grod.  But  He  who  is  rich  in  mercy 
checked  him  in  his  course  of  sensuality,  and  gave  a  new  direction 
to  his  desires.  He  became  at  first  the  subject  of  partial  reforma- 
tion and  an  attentive  hearer  of  the  gospel.  Though  convinced 
of  his  guilt  and  danger,  the  struggle  between  his  own  heart  and 
the  humbling  requisitions  of  the  Divine  Word  was  long  and 
desperate.  Determinations  were  frequently  formed  to  abandon 
forever  his  sinful  pursuits,  but  as  often  were  they  broken.  In- 
creasing anguish  of  mind  was  the  result.  He  was  at  length  as  an 
humble,  dependent  rebel,  brought  to  the  feet  of  Christ.  There 
he  found  relief.  Thenceforward  he  contemplated  himself  as  a  re- 
covered sinner,  and,  constrained  by  the  love  of  a  Saviour,  began 
to  speak  his  praise.  His  perceptions  of  the  plan  of  salvation 
were  at  first  obscure,  in  consequence  of  which  he  suffered  much 
depression.  But  as  he  became  acquainted  with  Christ,  and  him 
crucified,  his  reliance  was  more  simple  and  consoling. 

Having  found  the  Redeemer  precious  to  his  heart  he  could  not 
be  satisfied  until  he  had  publicly  made  known  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for  him.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Harriss,  in  1Y69,  and 
united  with  the  Meherrin  Church,  in  the  County  of  Lunenburg. 

Immediately  after  his  baptism  he  began  to  recommend  Him 
in  whom  he  had  found  so  much  consolation.  His  talents  were  not 
of  the  most  promising  character,  and  yet  he  could  not  be  re- 
pressed in  directing  others  to  the  foundation  in  Zion.  There  was 
soon  developed  such  a  spirit,  and  his  gifts  so  far  improved  by 
exercise,  as  to  warrant  the  church  to  set  him  apart  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry.    He  was  soon  invited  to  take  charge  of  Malones 


112  ELIJAH   BAKER. 

Church,  Mecklenburg  County,  which  invitation  he  accepted.  The 
pastoral  connectioii  was  retained  about  twelve  months,  when  he 
relinquished  this  field  of  labor  and  became  an  itinerant.  He  gave 
himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  publishing  salvation  for  several 
years,  during  which  time  he  traveled  extensively  throughout 
Eastern  Yirginia.  It  is  doubtful  whether  any  other  man  in  the 
State  has  been  as  successful  within  the  same  length  of  time. 
Through  his  instrumentality  all  the  churches  between  Hampton 
and  Richmond  City  were  originated,  and  several  on  the  Eastern 
Shore.  His  efforts  in  the  Counties  of  Henrico,  New  Kent,  etc. 
down  to  Warwick,  were  of  the  most  indefatigable  kind.  In  this 
region  he  spent  the  year  1*773,  and  the  two  following  years.  He 
labored  also  in  the  County  of  Gloucester. 

As  he  was  afterwards  permanently  settled  on  the  Eastern 
Shore,  it  will  be  interesting  to  notice  his  early  efforts  among  the 
people  of  that  region.  He  was  invited  thither  by  a  Mr.  Elliot 
of  Gloucester,  who  having,  under  the  influence  of  Elder  Baker's 
preaching,  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  was  deeply 
anxious  that  those  among  whom  he  formerly  lived  should  be  par- 
takers of  the  gospel  hope. 

It  was  his  privilege  to  be  the  first  Baptist  preacher  who  had 
visited  that  shore.  Much  attention  was  excited  in  all  the  neigh- 
borhoods he  visited,  as  both  the  manner  and  matter  of  his  ad- 
dresses were  novel.  The  first  discourse  he  delivered  seems  to 
have  been  productive  of  much  good.  He  attended,  on  Easter 
Sunday,  one  of  the  established  churches  as  a  hearer.  The  Epis- 
copal minister  failed  to  attend.  He  then  informed  the  congrega- 
tion that  if  they  would  allow  him  he  would  address  them  himself. 
They  consented.  Finding  a  slight  elevation  near  the  road,  he 
preached  in  the  open  air  with  great  warmth,  a  plain  gospel  ser- 
mon. Considerable  excitement  was  the  result.  Some  were 
oft'ended  with  the  faithfulness  of  the  new  preacher ;  others  ex- 
pressed astonishment  at  the  unction  with  which  he  delivered  his 
message ;  and  some  returned  deeply  affected.  Such  was  the  interest 
produced  in  all  that  region,  that  when  a  few  weeks  after  he  made 
another  visit,  the  parson  had  given  notice  he  would  prove  the 
Baptist  to  be  in  error.  Elder  Baker  was  one  of  his  hearers,  and 
afterwards  day  and  night,  for  more  than  a  week,  he  continued  to 


ELIJAH   BAKER.  113 

preach  the  gospel  of  Christ.  His  ministry  was  attended  by- 
listening  crowds,  many  of  whom  were  baptized  by  him.  Such 
were  the  indications  of  the  Divine  blessings,  that  Elder  Baker 
concluded  it  was  his  duty  to  accept  the  pressing  invitation  he  re- 
ceived to  settle  among  this  people.  A  short  time  previous  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Sarah  Copeland,  a  lady  of  respect- 
able connections.  He  became  a  resident  of  jSTorthampton  County, 
and  in  1*7T8  took  charge  of  the  Lower  Northampton  Church.  He 
continued  his  exertions  on  the  Eastern  Shore  both  of  Maryland  and 
Yirginia,  and  was  the  principal  instrument  in  building  up  several 
churches,  and  of  bringing  into  the  work  of  the  ministry  several 
who  had  united  with  the  people  of  God.  It  was  at  length  thought 
proper  to  organize  a  new  association,  and,  in  1T82,  the  messengers 
of  the  churches  having  assembled  at  Salisbury,  they  formed  them- 
selves into  the  Salisbury  Association.  In  1808  a  division  took 
place  for  the  sake  of  convenience,  and  the  churches  on  the  Yirginia 
side  of  the  Eastern  Shore  were  constituted  into  what  is  called  the 
Accomac  Association, 

It  might  be  expected  that  such  a  course  of  successful  labor 
would  naeet  with  opposition.  At  one  period  the  hostility  which 
the  servants  of  Jesus  experienced  was  of  the  most  determined 
character.  Elder  Baker  was  counted  worthy  to  share  in  this 
hostility.  He  realized  the  most  cruel  treatment.  For  several 
days  he  was  confined  in  the  Accomac  jail.  None  of  these  things 
moved  him.  He  not  only  maintained  his  steadfastness,  but  in- 
creased in  activity  and  boldness,  in  preaching  Christ  and  him 
crucified. 

The  following  fact  stated  by  Elder  Sample  deserves  a  place 
here — showing,  as  it  does,  the  recklessness  of  that  enmity  which 
was  cherished  against  him,  and  the  spirit  he  exhibited  in  securing 
every  opportunity  of  doing  good  to  the  souls  of  men:  "The 
most  atrocious  attempt  to  persecute  was  that  of  seizing  him  by  a 
lawless  power,  and  carrying  him  on  board  a  vessel  in  the  adjacent 
waters,  where  they  left  him — having  contracted  with  the  captain 
to  make  him  work  his  passage  over  the  seas,  and  then  leave  him 
in  some  of  the  countries  in  Europe,  alleging  that  he  ivas  a  dis- 
turber of  the  peace.  This  took  place  on  Saturday  night.  He 
was  immediately  put  to  work  and  kept  at  it  until  late  at  night. 

VOL.    T. — H  10* 


114  ELIJAH   BAKER. 

The  next  day  being  Sunday,  he  asked  and  obtained  leave  of  the 
captain  to  sing  and  pray  among  the  crew.  The  captain  attended, 
and  was  convinced  that  lie  was  a  good  man.  Without  delay  he 
set  him  on  shore.  In  the  mean  time  his  friends  had  dispatched  a 
messenger  to  the  governor,  to  obtain  authority  to  prevent  his 
being  carried  forcibly  away.  This  they  obtained;  but  Mr.  B. 
was  discharged  before  his  return." 

Mr.  Leland,  in  a  letter  to  Robert  B.  Semple,  thus  alludes  to  the 
history  of  this  man  of  God  :  "  Is  it  possible  for  you  to  get  the 
biography  of  Elijah  Baker  ?  He  began  his  career  in  Mecklen- 
burg, or  near  that  place ;  was  cotemporary  with  John  Williams, 
and  first  ordained  in  a  church  of  that  county ;  then  came  to  Boar 
Swamp,  and,  with  J.  Anthony,  planted  that  church  ;  then  to 
Charles  City,  James  City,  and  York,  where  he  also  planted 
churches  ;  thence  he  crossed  the  Mockjack  Bay  and  did  the  like 
in  a  part  of  Gloucester  called  Guina;  thence  over  the  Bay  to  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  where  he  constituted  the 
first  ten  Baptist  churches  in  those  parts.  He  was  a  man  of  hum- 
ble parentage,  small  learning,  and  confined  abilities.  But  with 
one  talent  he  did  more  than  many  do  with  five.  If  justice  could 
be  done  his  memory  the  detail  would  make  a  rich  page  in  your 
intended  history.  At  the  last  Salisbury  Association  which  he 
attended,  when  nearly  worn  out  with  disease,  at  the  close  of  the 
meeting  he  addressed  the  audience  in  a  manner  as  if  heaven  and 
earth  were  coming  together ;  then,  returning  to  Mr.  Lemon's,  soon 
died." 

Elder  Baker  did  not  live  to  an  advanced  age.  For  many 
months  his  health  was  extremely  feeble,  preventing  him  in  a  great 
measure  from  the  pursuance  of  his  ministerial  labor.  To  the  close 
of  life,  however,  he  was  employed  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability.  He 
,  had  attained  a  high  elevation  of  Christian  character ;  and  his 
path,  like  the  shining  light,  continued  to  shine  more  and  more  unto 
the  perfect  day.  The  state  of  his  mind  a  few  weeks  before  his 
death  will  be  evinced  in  the  following  brief  extract  of  a  letter, 
written  by  him  to  his  brother  Elder  Leonard  Baker,  who  was 
then  pastor  of  Musterfield  Church,  Halifax  County.  "And  now, 
brother,  are  you  struggling  through  the  trials  of  this  life,  leaning 
upon  your  beloved  ?     Are  you  laboring   and  waiting  for  the 


JAMES  IRELAND.  115 

coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  shall  change  our  vile  bodies  and 
fashion  them  according  to  his  glorious  body  ?  Or  have  you  sunk 
into  a  lukewarm  state  ?  which  I  fear  has  been  the  fact  with  some. 
Dear  brother,  some  of  my  complaints  are  such  that  I  do  not  ex- 
pect to  continue  long  in  this  world.  However,  I  leave  that  to 
my  dear  Redeemer,  who  has  the  power  of  life  and  death  in  his 
own  hands.  In  all  probability  I  shall  never  be  able  to  go  out  as 
far  as  your  house  again ;  yet  I  should  be  very  glad  to  see  you  if 
you  could  make  it  convenient  to  come  over  once  more  while  I 
live.  I  will  pay  all  your  expenses.  If  our  dear  mother  is  yet 
alive,  I  can  send  out  some  relief  to  her.  As  to  religion,  thanks 
be  to  God,  there  is  some  little  stir  among  us !  I  have  baptized 
eight  lately," 

His  brother  had  the  privilege  of  reaching  the  Eastern  Shore 
before  his  dismission  from  earth.  His  death  was  peaceful;  it 
took  place  ISTovember  6,  1798,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age. 
The  following  testimony,  given  by  Dr.  Lemon,  at  whose  house  he 
died,  deserves  to  be  recorded :  "In  Mr.  Baker  I  found  the  Israel- 
ite indeed,  the  humble  Christian,  the  preacher  of  the  gospel  in 
the  simplicity  of  it,  and  the  triumphant  saint  in  his  last  moments. 
In  his  preaching  he  was  very  plain,  and  generally  experimental ; 
always  very  express  on  the  doctrine  of  regeneration ;  never  enter- 
ing upon  the  doctrines  by  v/hich  he  conceived  he  should  give 
offence  to  one  or  another.  In  his  last  illness  I  attended  his  bed- 
side, day  and  night,  for  three  weeks,  and  had  many  most  agree- 
able conversations  with  him  on  the  glorious  things  of  the  kingdom 
of  Christ.  He  retained  his  senses  to  the  last  minute,  and  seemed 
rather  translated  than  to  suffer  pain  in  his  dissolution.  Death 
was  to  him  as  familiar  in  his  conversation  as  if  he  talked  of  an 
absent  friend  from  whom  he  expected  a  visit." 


JAMES    IRELAND. 

James  Ireland  was  born  in  the  City  of  Edinburgh,  in  1148. 
He  was  early  sent  to  school  by  his  father,  who  intended  to  give 
him  a  thorough  education.     Considerable  proficiency  was  made 


116  JAMES   IRELAND. 

in  the  Latin  language  and  other  branches  of  learning,  but  before 
he  had  completed  his  course  he  contracted  a  strong  prejudice 
against  study,  which  retarded  his  progress  and  rendered  his  educa- 
tion defective.  Being  rather  inclined  to  a  romantic  temper,  after  he 
left  school  his  father  decided  on  sending  him  to  sea,  with  the  hope 
that  this  propensity  would  be  cured  and  that  he  might  be  induced 
to  turn  his  attention  steadily  to  business.  Several  voyages  to  the 
northern  seas  were  taken,  during  which  he  was  exposed  to  immi- 
nent perils.  Frequently  he  experienced  such  marked  providential 
interferences  as  were  well  suited  to  awaken  grateful  emotions 
toward  Ms  Almighty  Deliverer,  but  his  heart  remained  callous. 
After  his  return  from  these  voyages,  in  consequence  of  some 
indiscretion,  he  left  his  father's  house,  and  embarked  for  Ame- 
rica. With  regard  to  this  he  says,  "I  consider  my  removal  as 
the  most  auspicious  epoch  of  my  life.  It  pleased  my  great  Deli- 
verer to  bring  good  out  of  evil.  True  it  is,  on  my  first  arrival  in 
Yirginia,  and  for  a  few  years  after,  this  now  happy  country 
groaned  under  the  tyranny  of  a  rigorous  religious  intolerance ; 
but  it  soon  pleased  the  Giver  of  all  good,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  the  Revolution,  to  burst  asunder  the  bands  of  oppres- 
sion." 

On  his  arrival  in  America,  he  took  charge  of  a  school  in  the 
northern  part  of  Virginia.  At  this  time  he  had  not  the  fear  of 
God  before  his  eyes.  In  the  new  settlements  where  he  lived,  as 
he  states,  "there  was  not  the  least  respect  for  the  Sabbath,  except 
among  a  few  Quakers,  who,  on  that  day,  would  meet  at  a  certain 
house  and  pursue  their  mode  of  worship."  Their  practice  had 
some  effect  on  his  mind,  and  brought  to  his  recollection  the  scenes 
of  his  childhood,  when,  under  the  direction  of  his  parents,  he 
was  taught  to  venerate  the  Lord's  day  and  to  believe  in  the  neces- 
sity of  conversion.  In  thinking  of  the  past,  he  would  sometimes 
weep,  and  pray  to  God  to  have  mercy  on  him.  But  these  impres- 
sions were  of  short  duration.  "I  could  soon,"  he  says,  "join  in 
the  wicked  amusements  of  those  around  me  without  remorse,  and 
being  of  an  aspiring  disposition,  it  did  not  suit  my  taste  to  be  a 
common  accomplice  with  them,  but  an  active  leader  in  all  their 
practices  of  wickedness,  so  that  it  might  be  said  of  me,  as  in 
Isaiah, '  I  drew  iniquity  with  the  cords  of  vanity,  and  sin,  as  it  were, 


JAMES   IRELAND.  117 

with  a  cart-rope.'  During  the  year  that  I  resided  in  those  parts,  I 
eannot  recollect  that  ever  I  experienced  any  remorse  of  conscience 
except  in  one  instance,  so  wretched  and  hardened  had  I  become. 
I  possessed  certain  qualifications  by  which  I  could  accommodate 
myself  to  every  company :  with  the  religious  I  could  moralize  a 
little,  with  the  well-bred  I  could  be  polite,  with  the  merry  I  could 
be  antic,  and  with  the  obscene  I  could  be  profane.  I  may  say, 
with  great  propriety,  that  I  was  engaged  to  treasure  up  unto  my- 
self wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath  and  revelation  of  the  right- 
eous judgment  of  God  to  come.  The  god  of  this  world  had  so 
blinded  my  understanding  that,  comparing  my  pleasures  in  sin 
with  my  confused  ideas  of  the  happiness  of  heaven,  I  often  thought 
I  would  not  have  desired  the  happiness  of  the  saints  above  if 
God  would  have  allowed  me  to  enjoy  it.  I  was  not  only  willing 
to  be  wicked,  but  studied  to  be  so.  Profane  jest-books  I  pro- 
cured to  improve  me  in  vice,  and  never  could  I  hear  a  pertinent 
answer,  as  would  nonplus  an  opponent  in  folly,  without  studying 
a  variety  of  answers." 

Such,  according  to  his  own  language,  was  the  deplorable  con- 
dition of  this  youth.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  had  deter- 
mined to  pluck  him  as  a  brand  from  the  burning.  He  had  been 
accustomed,  for  the  gratification  of  those  around  him,  to  indulge 
a  poetic  talent  which  it  was  thought  he  possessed.  A  pious  young 
man,  who  had  before  evinced  some  desire  to  be  of  spiritual  ad- 
vantage to  him,  presented  a  request  that  he  would  compose  a  few 
lines  on  a  religious  subject.  Having  complied,  his  second  compo- 
sition, on  "the  natural  man's  dependence  for  heaven,"  was  the 
means  of  his  own  conviction.  He  became  deeply  concerned  about 
the  salvation  of  his  soul,  having  perceived  that  all  his  former 
dependences  for  heaven  were  untenable.  For  some  time  he  con- 
tinued in  an  unhappy  state  of  mind.  Referring  to  his  feelings, 
he  remarks  :  "The  deep  impression  upon  my  soul  had  a  very  con- 
siderable influence  upon  my  exterior  appearance ;  that  wild  vivacity 
that  flashed  in  my  eyes,  and  natural  cheerfulness  that  appeared 
in  my  countenance,  were  entirely  gone ;  my  flesh  began  to  pine 
away,  my  ruddy  cheeks  had  vanished,  and  all  that  remained  was  a 
solemn,  gloomy  paleness;  while  my  head  was  often  hanging  down 
like  a  bulrush,  under  the  internal  pressure  of  my  guilty  state." 


118  JAMES   IRELAND. 

After  mauy  painful  apprehensions,  and  much  reading  of  the  Word 
of  God,  he  was  at  length  brought  to  behold  the  beauty  and  sujffi- 
ciency  of  Christ.  "My  head,"  he  obsei-ved,  "was  like  a  well  of 
water,  while  the  tears  ran  down  for  several  hours  without  inter- 
mission ;  and,  of  all  the  tears  I  ever  shed,  these  were  the  sweetest. 
My  hard  heart  was  melted  into  contrition,  while  I  was  laid  low  in 
the  dust  before  God,  under  the  sweet  impression  of  his  goodness 
to  me." 

The  change  which  took  place  in  his  feelings  and  life  was  blessed 
of  the  Lord  to  the  turning  of  others.  During  this  time  they  had 
not  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  hearing  the  gospel  preached.  Shortly 
after,  Elder  John  Picket,  being  informed  of  these  instances  of 
conversion,  rode  sixty  miles  to  visit  the  neighborhood  and  dis- 
pense to  them  the  Word  of  Life.  He  remained  two  days,  preach- 
ing at  the  house  of  Mr.  Ireland,  and  to  him  it  was  indeed  the 
sincere  milk  of  the  Word.  He  divulged  his  feelings  freely  to 
Elder  Picket,  and  received  from  him  advice  suited  to  his  circum- 
stances. 

On  leaving,  Elder  Picket  promised  again  to  visit  and  preach 
to  them.  When  the  time  of  the  next  appointment  arrived,  he 
was  prevented  by  unavoidable  circumstances  from  complying  with 
his  engagement.  The  congregation  having  met,  a  consultation 
was  held  among  the  few  pious  persons  who  were  present,  and 
it  was  determined  that  Mr.  Ireland  should  address  the  people. 
He  thus  describes  his  first  attempt:  "About  twelve  o'clock  a 
tolerably  large  congregation  were  met.  In  dependence  on  God, 
and  in  fear  and  much  trembling,  I  went  forward.  Worship  was 
introduced  by  singing  the  hymn,  '  Let  me  but  hear  my  Saviour 
say.'  The  hymn  was  expressive  of  the  real  exercises  of  my  heart. 
After  prayer,  I  addressed  the  people  from  John,.iii.  3.  My  heart 
was  greatly  enlarged,  my  zeal  inflamed,  and  my  desires  ran  out 
for  the  salvation  of  souls  in  such  a  manner  that  I  have  often 
thought,  could  I  have  had  twenty  tongues  to  employ  that  day, 
there  would  have  been  matter  for  them  all.  I  dare  not  say  but  I 
had  some  sweet  thoughts,  that  God  would  bring  me  into  the  mi- 
nistry, but  against  them  I  struggled,  and  would  not  give  them 
entertainment  in  my  heart,  under  the  apprehension  that  they  were 
the  production  of  pride.     However,  it  was  a  day  full  of  comfort 


JAMES  IRELAND.  119 

to  us  who  were  banded  together  ha  love,  and  also  of  deep  hu- 
mility to  myself." 

He  continued  to  speak  in  public,  as  opportunity  allowed,  for 
some  time  before  he  united  with  any  church.  Indeed  there  was 
no  church  within  his  reach.  Those  who,  with  him,  had  been 
brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  were  accustomed  regularly 
to  meet  and  receive  instruction  at  his  hands,  although  they  had 
not  submitted  to  the  ordinances.  But  when,  they  understood 
"the  way  of  God  more  perfectly,"  they  determined  to  follow 
Christ  in  baptism,  and  be  regularly  constituted  into  a  church. 

Having  been  educated  a  Presbyterian,  Mr.  Ireland  was  not 
easily  convinced  of  the  obligation  to  be  baptized.  In  his  own 
words,  the  manner  in  which  he  was  led  to  discover  his  duty  is 
thus  described:  "A  circumstance  among  our  little  society  on 
Smith's  Creek  produced  a  degree  of  anxiety  for  a  short  time,  but 
happily  terminated  to  our  satisfaction.  The  circumstance  related 
to  myself.  The  work  of  God  through  the  Colony  was  at  that 
time  principally  carried  on  under  the  ministry  of  the  Baptists, 
then  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  Regulars  and  Separates. 
Both  parties  were  Calvinistic  in  their  sentiments,  and  our  little 
body  was  disposed  to  join  them  by  submitting  to  the  rules  of 
their  society.  We  were  fully  persuaded  that  their  baptism  was 
right,  according  to  the  example  of  Jesus  Christ  and  the  practice 
of  his  Apostles. 

"In  this  point  they  were  all  of  one  heart  and  one  mind,  myself 
only  excepted.  I  was  still  tenacious  of  the  old  mode  of  sprink- 
ling, according  to  the  Presbyterian  plan.  They  apprehended 
that  if  ever  any  minister  was  raised  among  them,  I  would  be  the 
individual,  and  if  I  continued  under  that  persuasion  it  would 
create  a  difficulty.  This,  no  doubt,  occasioned  many  prayers  to 
be  sent  up  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  I  might  be  convinced  of 
my  error  in  this  respect.  Discovering  the  uneasiness  that  existed 
among  them,  I  was  led  to  search  the  Scriptures'  impartially,  and 
in  a  short  time  it  pleased  God  to  remove  the  scales  from  my  eyes, 
and  give  me  to  see  that  I  must  be  a  partaker  of  the  grace  of  faith 
in  Christ  before  I  could  be  qualified  to  obey  the  ordinance  of  his 
,  institution.  The  application  was  very  poAverful,  so  that  nothing 
could  erase  it  from  my  heart.  I  determined  at  once  to  obey  Christ 


120  JAMES   IRELAND. 

by  following  him  into  the  water,  and  thus  put  him  on  profession- 
ally. All  being  now  united  together  in  one  mind  and  one  judg- 
ment, and  possessing  a  warm  zeal  for  the  glory  of  our  Redeemer, 
we  wished  to  know  which  of  the  two  bodies,  Regulars  or  Sepa- 
rates, had  the  warmest  preachers  and  the  most  fire  among  them. 
We  determined  in  favor  of  the  latter,  although  the  ministers  of 
both  were  zealous  men." 

With  the  advice  of  his  brethren,  he  attended  the  meeting  of 
the  Separate  Baptist  Association,  which  was  held  at  Sandy 
Creek,  North  Carolina,  in  1169,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  bap- 
tism and  ordination.  At  this  meeting.  Elder  Samuel  Harriss, 
who  previously  had  refused  ordination,  was  regularly  set  apart  to 
the  ministry,  and  authorized  to  administer  the  ordinances.  It 
was  proposed  that  he  should  baptize  Mr.  Ireland,  and  for  this 
purpose  a  meeting  was  appointed  to  be  held  in  Pittsylvania. 
Mr.  Ireland  thus  refers  to  this  interesting  circumstance  :  "Three 
days  and  the  greater  part  of  the  nights  were  employed  in  preach- 
ing to  the  people,  at  Mr.  Harriss's,  many  of  the  hearers  having 
come  great  distances.  The  third  day  the  whole  body  of  the 
church  went  into  their  meeting-house,  according  to  their  rule,  to 
hear  experience  and  receive  subjects  for  baptism.  I  endeavored 
to  make  them  acquainted  with  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  my 
soul,  and  with  my  desires  for  submitting  to  an  institution  of  God's 
own  appointment. 

"After  short  interrogations,  only  for  the  satisfaction  and  edifi- 
cation of  the  church,  they  gave  me  the  right  hand  of  fellowship, 
and  declared  me  to  be  a  proper  subject  for  baptism.  Next  day, 
in  the  afternoon,  was  appointed  for  the  administration  thereof;  it 
being  Sunday,  we  were  to  meet  very  early  in  the  morning  for 
preaching.  There  were  eleven  ministers  present.  Considering 
the  distance  I  lived,  it  was  proposed  among  them,  and  acceded 
to,  that  I  should  preach  my  trial  sermon,  and  obtain  credentials. 
Worship  being  over,  we  repaired  to  the  water  for  the  administra- 
tion of  baptism.  Mr.  Garrard  was  to  speak  on  the  nature  and 
design  of  the  ordinance,  and  Mr.  Harriss  was  to  administer  it, 
which  accordingly  was  done,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  and  solemn 
audience.     Next  morning  I  had  to  take  leave  of  that  church. 


JAMES  IRELAND.  121 

My  credentials  were  signed  by  eleven  ministers,  that  I  might  go 
forward,  as  an  itinerant  preacher,  without  any  hesitation." 

Immediately  after  his  baptism  he  returned  home,  and  in  the 
spirit  and  power  of  his  Master  devoted  himself  to  the  great  work 
of  preaching  the  gospel.  The  Lord  added  many  seals  to  his 
ministry.  But  he  soon  found  that  bonds  and  imprisonment 
awaited  him.  His  growing  popularity  and  success  excited  the 
indignation  of  the  rulers  of  the  established  church,  and  brought 
down  upon  his  head  fierce  persecution.  "At  one  time,"  he  says, 
"preaching  being  over,  and  concluding  with  prayer,  I  heard  a 
rustling  noise  in  the  woods,  and  before  I  opened  my  eyes  to  see 
what  it  was,  I  was  seized  by  the  collar  by  two  men  while  stand- 
ing on  the  table.  Stepping  down  and  beholding  a  number  of 
others  walking  up,  it  produced  a  momentary  confusion  in  me. 
The  magistrates  instantaneously  demanded  of  me  what  I  was 
doing  there  with  such  a  conventicle  of  people.  I  replied,  that  I 
was  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  them  ;  they  asked,  who 
gave  me  authority  so  to  do.  I  answered,  He  that  was  the  author 
of  the  gospel  had  a  right  to  send  forth  whom  He  had  qualified  to 
dispense  it.  They  retorted  upon  me  with  abusive  epithets,  and 
then  inquired  if  I  had  any  authority  from  man  to  preach.  I 
produced  my  credentials,  but  these  would  avail  nothing,  not  being 
sanctioned  and  commissioned  by  the  bishop.  They  told  me  that 
I  must  give  security  not  to  teach,  preach,  or  exhort,  for  twelve 
months  and  a  day,  or  go  to  jail.  I  chose  the  latter  alternative." 
This  occurred  in  Culpepper.  He  was  accompanied  to  prison 
amid  the  abuses  of  his  persecutors,  and  while  incarcerated  in . 
his  cell  not  only  suffered  by  the  extreme  inclemency  of  the 
weather,  but  by  the  personal  maltreatment  of  his  foes.  They 
attempted  to  blow  him  up  with  gunpowder,  but  the  quantity 
obtained  was  only  sufficient  to  force  up  some  of  the  flooring  of 
his  prison.  The  individual  who  led  in  this  infamous  conduct  was, 
shortly  after,  ia  a  hunting  excursion,  and  while  asleep  in  the 
woods,  bitten  by  a  mad  wolf,  of  which  wound  he  died  in  the  most 
excruciating  pain.  There  was  also  an  attempt  made  by  Elder 
Ireland's  enemies  to  suffocate  him,  by  burning  brimstone,  etc.  at 
the  door  and  window  of  his  prison.  A  scheme  was  also  formed 
to  poison  him.     But  the  mercy  of  God  prevented.     He  states, 

VOL.  I.  11 


122  JAMES   IRELAND. 

that  he  might  speak  of  a  hundred  instances  of  cruelty  whicli  were 
practiced.  "  I  expected,"  says  he  "  every  court,  to  be  brought  out 
to  the  whipping-post  before  the  gazing  multitude ;  I  sat  down 
and  counted  the  cost,  and  believed,  through  Christ  strengthening 
me,  I  could  suffer  all  things  for  his  sake.  It  appeared  that  their 
power  did  not  reach  so  far,  or  it  would  have  been  executed.  At 
this  period  I  received  lettei's  from  the  ministers  of  our  persua- 
sion, and  from  a  variety  of  churches  with  whom  I  was  connected. 
From  these  churches  I  received  general  information,  how  singu- 
larly letters  I  wrote,  were,  under  God,  blessed  to  the  conversion 
of  numbers,  who  were  anxiously  led  to  inquire  into  the  cause  for 
which  I  suffered,  as  well  as  the  grounds  of  that  fortitude  which 
bore  me  up  under  these  sufferings.  My  prison,  then,  was  a  place 
in  which  I  enjoyed  much  of  the  Divine  presence ;  a  day  seldom 
passed  without  some  signal  token  of  the  Divine  goodness  toward 
me,  which  generally  led  me  to  subscribe  my  letters  in  these  words, 
'  From  my  palace  in  Culpepper.'  "  As  a  specimen  of  the  letters 
written  to  him,  a  few  of  the  closing  lines  of  one  from  Elder  David 
Thomas  will  not  be  uninteresting:  "0  brother,  if  you  can,  by 
bearing  the  charming,  lovely  cross  of  Jesus  Christ,  win  one  of  the 
strongest  of  Satan's  strongholds,  no  matter  then  how  soon  you 
die ;  and  if  you  thus  die  for  Him,  how  would  the  glorious  armies 
of  the  martyrs  above  shout,  to  see  Ireland  coming  from  a  jorison  to 
reign  with  them  in  glory  !" 

It  is  painful  to  record,  that  this  unholy  opposition  was  mainly 
the  result  of  clerical  influence.  The  ministers  of  the  established 
■church  were  generally  found  most  active  in  those  imprisonments 
which  were  experienced  by  Baptist  ministers  in  Virginia.  Mr. 
Ireland  states  that,  at  his  trial,  "the  county  parson  was  very 
officious  in  giving  his  assistance  to  the  bench  in  the  dilemma  they 
were  in.  I  applied  to  Mr.  Bullet  to  move  the  court  to  give  the 
parson  and  me  leave  to  argue  the  point  in  hand,  before  them,  and 
if  I  did  not  confute  him,  I  would  go  to  prison  as  a  volunteer ! 
He,  with  a  smile,  replied,  the  word  of  God  does  not  pass  current 
in  this  house ;  I  answered,  it  appears  so,  or  they  would  not 
imprison  those  who  preach  it." 

To  expose  the  oppressions  of  his  day,  another  extract  from 
Elder  Ireland's  pen  will  be  introduced,  by  which  it  will  be  per- 


JAMES   IRELAND.  123 

ceived  that  a  man  of  reputable  character,  of  good  talents,  and 
aiming  to  promote  the  well-being  of  society,  was  not  allowed,  by 
the  consent  of  his  church,  to  speak  in  public,  or  to  build  a  house 
of  worship,  without  special  consent  from  the  governor.  It  was 
necessary  to  travel  down  from  Culpepper  to  Williamsburg,  that 
this  privilege  might,  in  person,  be  obtained,  and  then,  not  without 
examination  by  some  Episcopal  minister.  The  following  is  the 
extract : — ■"!  went  up  to  Frederick  County,  drew  up  a  petition 
addressed  to  Lord  Botetourt,  the  then  G-overnor  of  Yirginia, 
praying  him  to  grant  me  the  privilege  of  having  a  meeting-house 
built  in  Culpepper  County,  to  be  occupied  without  molestation, 
on  condition  of  my  conforming  to  the  rules  prescribed  for  Pro- 
testant Dissenters.  To  this  I  obtained  the  signature  of  a  number 
of  respectable  inhabitants,  both  of  Frederick  and  Culpepper  Coun- 
ties, and  repaired  to  the  capital,  at  Williamsburg.  The  governor, 
I  understood,  was  a  religious  man ;  and  his  universal  conduct 
was  stamped  with  the  approbation  of  all,  both  within  and  without 
his  capital.  Whether  he  possessed  vital  religion  or  not  I  will  not 
presume  to  determine,  but  he  received  my  petition  with  all  the 
graces  of  a  gentleman,  and  gave  me  direction  what  measure  to 
pursue,  antecedent  to  granting  the  privileges  I  requested.  I 
found  the  clergy  in  the  city  of  quite  a  different  character  from  the 
governor ;  they  appeared  obstinately  determined  not  to  give  me 
the  requisite  examination  :  every  one  shifted  it  upon  another,  till 
at  last  I  obtained  it  from  a  country  pai'son,  living  eight  miles 
from  the  capital,  and  presented  it  to  the  governor  and  council, 
who  granted  me  a  license  for  those  things  petitioned." 

It  was  Elder  Ireland's  portion  to  suffer  many  other  painful 
trials,  but  his  ministry  was  increasingly  successful.  He  was 
instrumental  in  forming  several  churches  of  the  Ketockton  Asso- 
ciation, and  for  many  years  filled  the  pastoral  office  with  two  or 
three  of  those  in  the  Counties  of  Frederick  and  Shenandoah. 
Several  hundreds  were  by  him  led  into  the  watery  tomb,  expres- 
sive of  their  death  unto  sin.  In  1802  he  baptized,  in  one  of  his 
churches,  ninety-three  persons,  fifty-two  of  whom  were  received 
in  one  day. 

In  consequence  of  injuries  sustained  by  a  fall  from  his  horse, 
and  afterwards  by  the  overthrowing  of  his  carriage,  he  was  in  the 


124  JAMES    IRELAND. 

early  part  of  1806  confined  to  his  bed.  He  soon  became  much 
afflicted  with  the  dropsy,  and  sulfered  the  most  excruciating  pains. 
Notwithstanding  his  extreme  illness  he  did  not  neglect  family 
worship,  even  after  he  became  so  weak  that  he  could  not  sit  up ; 
then  he  would  lead  in  prayer,  and  seem  to  enjoy  it  while  in  a  recum- 
bent posture.  He  gradually  declined,  until  May  5th,  1806,  when 
his  spirit  fled  to  mansions  on  high.  The  following  notice  of  his 
character  and  labors  is  taken  from  the  Winchester  Gazette  : — 

"  Elder  James  Ireland  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  congregations 
at  Buckmarsh,  Happy  Creek,  and  Water  Lick,  in  Frederick  and 
Shenandoah  Counties,  Virginia.  He  had  labored  nearly  forty 
years  in  his  Lord's  vineyard,  and  during  a  great  part  of  the  time 
through  much  infirmity  of  body.  He  was  always  distinguished  as 
an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament,  rightly  divining  the  Word 
of  Truth,  giving  to  saint  and  sinner  their  portion  in  due  season. 
During  his  last  illness,  which  confined  him  to  his  bed  about  three 
months,  his  mind  was  tranquil  and  serene.  Fully  sensible  of  his 
approaching  dissolution,  and  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God, 
he  endured  all  things,  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible  ;  and  having 
an  eye  to  the  recompense  of  reward,  patiently  waited  for  the 
manifestations  of  the  sons  of  God.  On  Sunday,  the  first  instant, 
a  suitable  and  aff'ecting  discourse  was  delivered  at  Backmarsh 
Meeting-house,  the  place  of  his  interment,  to  a  numerous  and 
weeping  audience,  by  Elder  William  Mason,  from  2  Tim.  iv.  Y,  8  : 
'  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,'  etc. 

"  Mr.  Ireland  was  a  man  of  common  stature,  a  handsome  face, 
piercing  eye,  and  pleasant  countenance.  In  his  youth  he  was 
spare,  but  he  became  by  degrees  quite  corpulent,  so  that  not  long 
after  his  second  marriage  he  wanted  but  nineteen  pounds  of 
weighing  three  hundred." 

This  sketch  will  be  closed  by  the  introduction  of  two  or  three 
stanzas  composed  by  him  shortly  after  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence.    They  furnish  a  specimen  of  his  talent  for  poetry : — 

I. 

America!  exult  in  God 

With  joyful  acclamation; 
Who  has,  through  scenes  of  war  and  blood, 

Displayed  to  thee  salvation. 


JAMES   IRELAND.  125 

When  armed  hosts, 

With  warlike  boasts, 
Did  threaten  thy  destruction, 

And  crossed  the  main, 

With  martial  train. 
To  compass  thy  subjection; 
Thy  sole  resource  was  God  alone, 
Who  heard  thy  cries  before  his  throne. 
Beheld  with  hate  their  schemes  of  blood 
Impending  o'er  thee  like  a  tlood, 
And  made  them  know  it  was  in  Tain 
To  make  thee  longer  drag  their  chain ; 

That  thou  shouldst  be 

A  nation  free 
From  their  unjust  oppression. 

11.^ 

Hail!  now  ye  sons  of  liberty, 

Behold  thy  constitution ! 
Despotic  power  and  tyranny 
Have  seen  their  dissolution. 
No  clattering  arms. 
No  war's  alarms, 
Nor  threats  of  royal  vengeance ; 
Thy  hostile  foes 
Have  left  oiF  those ; 
Now  own  thy  Independence. 
Replete  with  peace,  valiant  we  stand, 
Freedom  the  basis  of  our  land; 
Blest  with  the  beams  of  gospel  light, 
Our  souls  emerge  from  sable  night ; 
Jehovah's  heralds  loud  proclaim 
Eternal  life  through  Jesus'  name, 
Point  out  his  blood 
The  way  to  God, 
For  our  complete  salvation. 

III. 

Amid  the  blessings  we  enjoy 

From  God  the  gracious  giver, 
Let  gratitude  our  hearts  employ, 
To  praise  his  name  forever; 
Beware  of  pride, 
Lest,  like  a  tide, 

11* 


126  JAMES   GREENWOOD. 

It  flows  and  gains  possession; 
'Mongst  empires  all, 
Both  great  and  small, 
Pride  always  brought  oppression ; 
Pride  finds  the  way  to  rule  and  reign, 
And  forges  the  despotic  chain ; 
Denies  we  should  enjoy  or  have 
The  right  that  God  in  nature  gave. 
Against  this  baleful  evil  fight — 
Resist  its  force  with  all  your  might, 
And  join  as  one, 
Before  the  throne, 
That  God  would  keep  us  humble. 

IV. 

Most  gracious  God,  thee  we  adore. 

Whose  mercy  faileth  never ; 
Thy  guardian  care  we  now  implore, — 
Be  thou  our  king  forever; 
Ma.y  gospel  rays 
Divinely  blaze 
With  an  immortal  lustre, 
And  teach  us  how 
Our  hearts  to  bow 
To  the  Redeemer's  sceptre  ! 
Oh  may  the  silver  trump  of  peace 
Within  our  empire  never  cease. 
Until  the  ransomed,  holy  race. 
Are  called  in  by  sovereign  grace. 
Then  may  the  conflagration  come, 
And  sinners  rise  to  hear  their  doom! 
Thy  chosen  ones, 
In  endless  songs, 
Will  shout  forth  hallelujahs ! 


JAMES    GREENWOOD. 

The  biographer  regrets  that  but  few  facts  connected  with  the 
life  of  James  Greenwood  have  been  obtained,  notwithstanding 
frequent  inquiries  made  in  the  region  where  he  spent  his  davs. 


JAMES  GREENWOOD.  12^ 

He  was  born  about  174:9,  in  the  lower  part  of  Yirginia,  and  in 
his  twentieth  year  became  a  Baptist  and  a  workman  in  the  Lord's 
service.  Few  ministers  have  pursued  a  more  unexceptionable 
course.  A  blameless  life  is  one  of  the  most  important  qualifica- 
tions which  the  Scriptures  require  in  him  who  fills  the  office  of  a 
bishop.  Without  this,  the  most  splendid  talents  will  only  prove 
a  curse  to  the  interests  of  religion.  This  will  enable  a  man  of 
comparatively  weak  capacity  to  do  good,  where  one  of  strong 
intellect  but  equivocal  piety  will  be  utterly  nseless.  This  was  the 
most  striking  peculiarity  in  reference  to  Elder  Greenwood.  His 
daily  deportment  uttered  a  language  more  powerfully  persuasive 
than  all  the  sermons  he  ever  delivered.  All  who  knew  him  con- 
fided in  his  piety,  and  found  in  his  life  an  evidence  of  the  purifying 
influence  of  the  gospel.  While  he  was  universally  beloved  by 
others,  there  was  at  all  times  entertained  by  Mm  a  deep  sense  of 
personal  unworthiness.     He  was  truly  an  humble  man. 

Elder  Greenwood  was  quite  useful  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ. 
At  the  constitution  of  Piscataway  Church,  Essex  County,  he  was 
induced  to  become  their  pastor,  and  continued  to  sustain  that 
relation  for  nearly  forty  years.  "  The  church,"  says  Mr.  Semple, 
"under  his  care  has  prospered  without  intermission.  In  1188 
and  1804  there  were  precious  revivals,  in  each  of  which  years  a 
respectable  number  was  added ;  but  it  is  worthy  of  note  that, 
even  in  the  coldest  season,  this  church  gradually  gained  strength, 
enjoying  uniform  serenity  and  peace."  In  addition  to  efforts  in 
Piscataway  he  traveled  much  in  the  lower  counties,  and  was  the 
honored  instrument  of  saving  many  souls  from  death. 

Notwithstanding  the  lovely  character  sustained  by  this  servant 
of  the  Redeemer,  he  did  not  escape  the  rage  of  those  who,  in  his 
day,  persecuted  the  church  of  God  and  wasted  it.  Indeed  it  was 
not  to  be  expected.  If  the  Lamb  of  God  was  led  to  the  slaughter 
his  servants  may  well  calculate  on  unkind  treatment.  Elder 
Greenwood  was  apprehended  while  actually  engaged  in  proclaim- 
ing the  gospel  of  peace.  He  was  standing  not  far  from  the  place 
now  occupied  by  Bruington  Meeting-house,  King  and  Queen 
County,  when  he  was  rudely  seized  and  forced  to  prison.  But  he 
was  not  without  consolation.  The  Lord  VN^as  with  him  in  his 
dungeon  and  lightened   his   chain.     Nor  was   the  time  in  his 


128  JOHN   WILLIAMS. 

Master's  service  lost,  for  while  in  prison  he  lifted  up  his  voice 
and  proclaimed  liberty  to  the  captives  of  sin.  As  the  sound  of 
salvation  was  heard  from  the  grated  windows  of  his  cell  the 
multitudes  without  wept,  and  many  believed  unto  eternal  life. 
Such  was  the  effect  of  his  ministrations  that  his  foes  judged  it 
most  politic  to  open  the  prison  doors  and  let  him  go  free. 


JOHN   WILLIAMS. 


It  is  regretted  that  the  materials  which  once  existed,  and 
which  would  have  essentially  contributed  to  complete  this  sketch, 
are  not  now  to  be  obtained.  Those  which  have  escaped  the 
ravages  of  time  will  tend  to  show  that  Elder  Williams  was 
among  the  most  eminent  servants  of  God  in  our  own  or  any 
other  denomination. 

He  was  born  in  Hanover  County  in  11 41.  His  parents, 
though  not  wealthy,  were  in  comfortable  circumstances,  and 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunities  they  enjoyed,  to  give  their 
son  a  liberal  education.  At  what  time  he  left  Hanover  is  not 
known,  but  in  1Y69  he  was  engaged  in  the  capacity  of  sheriff  in 
Lunenburg  County.  About  this  period  the  right  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  gloriously  displayed  in  various  parts  of  Yirginia,  and 
many  yielded  to  his  sway.  The  counties  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  State  shared  largely  in  these  triumphs.  Elder  Samuel 
Harriss,  with  others,  were  the  instruments  of  awakening  this  in- 
terest in  spiritual  things.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Elder  Williams's 
attention  was  first  directed  to  the  subject  of  religion.  Having 
been  brought  to  the  feet  of  Christ  and  realized  the  eflBcacy  of  the 
blood  of  the  atonement,  he  began  at  once  to  tell  others  of  the 
value  of  a  Saviour.  He  was  extensively  acquainted  in  the  county  * 
in  fnlfiUing  the  duties  of  the  sheriffality,  and  was  allowed  a  favor- 
able opportunity  of  doing  good  to  others.  Nor  did  he  neglect  it. 
He  warned  his  fellow-men  to  turn  from  sin's  deceitful  ways, 
although  he  had  not  as  yet  fulfilled  the  command  of  the  Redeemer 
by  being  buried  with  him  in  baptism,  or  united  with  any  Christian 


JOHN   WILLIAMS.  129 

church.  He  was  not  immersed  until  1T10,  six  months  after  his 
conversion. 

He  continued  to  prosecute  the  work  of  the  ministry  as  a  licen- 
tiate with  the  diligence  and  perseverance  of  one  who  knew  the 
value  of  the  gospel,  and  who  earnestly  desired  the  salvation  of 
sinners.  Within  three  years  the  number  of  disciples  had  so  far 
increased,  that  it  was  thought  expedient  to  form  a  new  church  in 
the  County  of  Lunenburg,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Meherrin, 
They  were  constituted  I^ovember  2'7th,  IITI,  and  after  being 
supplied  a  short  time  by  Elder  Jeremiah  Walker,  they  invited 
the  subject  of  this  memoir  to  become  their  pastor,  which  invita- 
tion he  accepted.  It  was  at  this  period,  December,  1712,  he  was 
publicly  set  apart  by  imposition  of  hands.  He  appears,  while 
laboring  for  this  church,  to  have  been  eminently  useful.  At  the 
Association,  in  I'lH,  it  was  ascertained  from  the  report  of  the 
churches  that  the  church  at  Meherrin  had  received  during  the 
previous  year  a  larger  number  than  any  other  represented  at  that 
meeting.  Such  was  the  increase  during  his  administration  that 
five  or  six  churches  were  originated  from  the  Meherrin  Church,  in 
the  Counties  of  Lunenburg,  Mecklenburg,  and  Charlotte.  In 
1785  he  removed  his  membership  to  Sandy  Creek  Church,  Char- 
lotte, and  became  their  pastor.  This  relation  he  sustained  as  long 
as  he  lived.  He  consented  also,  in  1186,  to  serve  the  Blue-stoue 
Church,  Mecklenburg  County.  They  were  supplied  by  him  about 
eight  years,  until  the  removal  of  Elder  William  Richards  into 
their  immediate  vicinity,  when  he  tendered  his  resignation.  It 
ought  here  to  be  mentioned,  that  immediately  after  Elder  Wil- 
liams's conversion  to  God  he  began  to  preach  in  a  destitute  neigh- 
borhood of  Mecklenburg  County,  and  was  successful  in  the 
formation  of  a  church  called  Allen's  Creek,  Here,  for  twenty 
years,  as  frequently  as  possible  and  with  much  success,  he 
preached  the  gospel.  Many  colored  persons  were  brought  to 
a  knowledge  of  the  truth  and  added  to  this  church. 

The  influence  of  this  servant  of  Christ  was  not  to  be  confined 
within  these  limits.  He  early  distinguished  himself  as  one  who 
felt  deeply  for  the  general  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
He  was  a  regular  attendant  at  the  meetings  of  the  General  Asso- 
ciation, which  continued  in  existence  until  IT 83,  and  afterwards, 

VOL.  I. — I 


130  JOHN   WILLIAMS. 

when  the  General  Committee  was  organized,  he  never  failed  to 
be  present.  Many  of  the  most  important  subjects  were  discussed 
at  these  meetings,  and  there  is  satisfactory  evidence  that  he  was 
one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  those  deliberations.  To  some  of  the 
good  objects  to  which  he  turned  his  attention,  and  in  the  prose- 
cution of  which  he  faithfully  toiled,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to 
invite  the  attention  of  the  reader.  By  this  reference  it  will  be 
seen  that  he  possessed  a  spirit  of  enlarged  benevolence  as  well  as 
a  vigorous  and  cultivated  mind.  Any  scheme  which  promised  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  man  he  was  not  only  willing  to  approve, 
but  to  aid  in  its  accomplishment.  Among  those  important 
measures  which  engaged  his  attention  will  be  mentioned : — 

1.  The  cause  of  religious  liberty.  When  he  entered  the 
ministry  the  Church  of  England  was  established  by  law,  and  dis- 
senters were  deprived  of  many  privileges  enjoyed  by  Episcopalians. 
As  non-conformists  they  were  liable  to  the  loss  of  personal  liberty 
and  to  the  experience  of  many  painful  sufferings.  The  Baptists, 
in  their  enlightened  and  honest  zeal  to  spread  the  influence  of  a 
Saviour's  love,  felt  most  sorely  these  grievances.  Elder  Williams 
was,  in  the  meetings  of  the  General  Association  and  General 
Committee,  one  of  the  most  unbending  champions  in  opposing 
these  proscriptions,  and  employed  his  influence  to  encourage  his 
brethren  to  resist,  by  all  scriptural  means,  these  unhallowed 
though  legalized  oppressions.  At  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Association  in  1175,  a  resolution  was  adopted  authorizing  me- 
morials to  be  prepared  and  circulated  throughout  the  State, 
praying  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia  that  the  church  esta- 
blishment might  be  abolished  and  that  religion  might  be  allowed 
to  stand  upon  its  own  basis.  Elder  Williams,  with  two  others, 
were  deputed  to  wait  on  the  legislature  with  these  petitions.  At 
several  other  times  was  he  appointed  on  a  mission  of  this  kind. 
Nor  were  his  efforts  with  those  of  his  brethren  vain.  He  lived 
•  to  see  one  of  the  warmest  wishes  of  his  heart  gratified  ;  the  entire 
prostration  of  ecclesiastical  tyranny.  The  following  extract  ex- 
presses in  his  own  forcible  language  his  high  sense  of  the  value 
of  those  civil  and  religious  privileges  which  had  been  conferred 
on  our  nation. 

"We  live  in  an  extraordinary  day — under  the  benign  influence 


JOHN   WILLIAMS.  I3I 

of  the  gospel  sun,  that  seems  to  be  rising  to  his  meridian  height ; 
no  nation  or  people,  since  government  was  first  introduced  into 
the  world,  ever  enjoyed  equal  privileges  with  us.  We  boast  not 
merely  the  enjoyment  of  civil,  but  of  religious  liberty,  without  any 
check  or  control  from  the  hand  of  oppression.  How  ought  every 
one  to  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness  and  wonderful  works  to 
the  children  of  men !  How  ought  we  to  wrestle  with  God  in 
prayer  for  grace  equal  to  the  day,  that  we  may  not,  like  Jeshurun, 
grow  wanton  and  abuse  these  glorious  privileges !" 

2.  The  interests  of  education  found  in  him  an  efficient  patron. 
He  was  not  in  the  habit  of  indulging  an  idea  that  the  cultivation 
of  intellect  was  necessarily  unfriendly  to  the  exercise  of  fervent 
piety.  The  subject  of  education,  it  is  well  known,  was  favorably 
received,  and  plans  adopted  for  its  promotion  by  the  Baptists  of 
the  last  century.  In  1193  it  was  committed  by  the  General  Com- 
mittee to  John  Williams  and  Thomas  Read,  who  reported  the 
following  plan : — That  fourteen  trustees  be  appointed,  all  of  whom 
shall  be  Baptists ;  that  these,  at  their  first  meeting,  appoint  seven 
from  the  other  denominations,  and  that  the  whole  twenty-one 
then  form  a  plan  and  make  arrangements  for  executing  it.  Why 
this  scheme  failed  is  not  distinctly  known ;  but  it  is  evident  that 
the  brethren  of  that  day  not  only  contemplated  the  institution  of 
a  seminary  of  learning,  but  actually  adopted  the  incipient  measures 
for  carrying  their  wishes  into  execution.  An  extract  is  here 
presented  from  a  paper  prepared  by  Elder  Williams,  which  indi- 
cates his  own  feelings  and  the  progress  which  had  been  made  in 
the  cause  of  education.  "  Two  seminaries  of  learning  are  proposed 
in  our  State,  one  on  each  side  of  James  River.  We  have  suffi- 
cient encouragement  from  our  learned  brethren  in  the  North  that 
we  shall  not  want  for  able,  skillful  teachers.  This  will  also 
require  very  diligent  efforts  and  liberal  contribidions.  And  if 
we  in  this,  as  we  ought  in  everything,  do  it  with  a  single  eye 
to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 
interest,  then  shall  we  have  sufficient  grounds  to  hope  we  shall 
meet  with  the  approbation  of  heaven."  In  these  lines,  we  may 
observe  that  he  not  only  felt  a  lively  interest  in  educational 
operations,  but  indulged  fervent  devotion  to  God  and  a  desire 


132  JOHN   WILLIAMS. 

that  all  the  plans  he  fostered  might  advance  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom. 

3.  Another  subject  in  which  Elder  Williams  felt  a  deep  and 
lively  interest  was  the  preparation  of  a  history  of  the  Yirginia 
Baptist  Churches.  The  reference  of  this  work  to  his  hands  is 
thus  alluded  to  by  Elder  Semple  : — "  The  compilation  of  a  his- 
tory of  the  Yirginia  Baptists  having  been  committed  wholly  to 
the  hands  of  Mr.  "Williams  after  Mr.  Leland's  removal,  he  had 
made  no  inconsiderable  progress  in  collecting  documents,  when, 
in  consequence  of  the  decline  of  his  health,  he  found  himself 
under  the  necessity  of  resigning  his  trust.  This  he  did  in  a 
letter  to  the  General  Committee  in  1194.  The  committee  re- 
ceived his  resignation  and  resolved  to  decline  it  for  the  present." 
A  few  years  previous  he  himself  thus  refers  to  this  subject :  "It 
is  thought  very  expedient  to  form  or  compile  a  history  of  the 
baptized  churches  in  Yirginia,  their  rise,  progress,  hindrances, 
remarkable  events  and  occurrences,  chief  instruments,  present 
condition,  etc.  Our  General  Committee  have  taken  up  the 
matter  and  appointed  ministers  in  the  various  districts  to  collect 
materials,  who  find  it  very  necessary  to  claim  the  exertions  and 
assistance  of  the  several  churches,  ministers,  and  other  individuals. 
"We  desire  every  circumstance  to  be  presented  as  clearly  as  pos- 
sible, and  with  candor  and  truth." 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  Elder  "Williams  was  highly  dis- 
tinguished as  a  minister  of  reconciliation.  He  was  a  man  of  no 
ordinary  strength  of  intellect.  This  is  indicated  by  such  written 
documents  as  were  left  by  him  and  the  concurrent  testimony  of 
those  who  knew  and  now  survive  him.  He  was  much  devoted 
to  reading,  and  his  attainments  were  by  no  means  inconsiderable. 
Especially  on  theological  subjects  was  his  knowledge  enlarged 
and  profound.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  many  who  under- 
take the  important  work  of  instructing  others  are  themselves 
destitute  of  information.  The  subject  of  this  biography  did  not 
belong  to  this  class ;  he  was  a  workman  v^^ho  needed  not  to  be 
ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth.  As  a  public  speaker 
he  is  thus  described  by  Elder  Semple  :  "  His  talents  if  not  equal 
to  any  were  certainly  very  little  inferior  to  those  of  the  first 
grade.     His  appearance  in  the  pulpit  was  noble  and  majestic,  yet 


JOHN   WILLIAMS.  133 

humble  and  affectionate.  In  the  beginning  of  his  discourses  he 
was  doctrinal  and  somewhat  methodical ;  often  very  deep,  even  to 
the  astonishment  of  his  hearers ;  toward  the  close,  and  indeed 
sometimes  throughout  his  sermon,  he  was  exceedingly  animated. 
His  exhortations  were  often  incomparable." 

From  the  minutes  of  Associations  to  which  he  belonged,  and 
other  sources,  it  appears  that  in  his  religious  sentiments  he  was 
a  moderate  Calvinist.  He  delighted  to  dwell  on  those  doctrines 
which  tend  to  humble  the  sinner  and  exalt  Christ.  It  is  inti- 
mated by  some  who  knew  him  that  he  was  favorable  to  open 
communion.  If  this  was  his  sentiment  it  was  not  carried  into 
practice.  ISTor  did  he  fail  on  all  suitable  occasions  to  vindicate 
the  exclusive  propriety  of  believers'  baptism.  Mr.  Patilloe,  a 
Presbyterian  minister  of  some  celebrity,  having  preached  in  his 
vicinity  a  discourse  on  the  subject  of  baptism,  a  reply  of  con- 
siderable merit  was  prepared  by  Mr.  Williams.  TJiis  reply  he  in- 
tended to  put  to  press,  had  the  discourse  itself  been  published.  A 
brief  extract  from  the  preface  will  indicate  the  spirit  with  which 
the  work  was  undertaken:  "I  hope  I  have  sufficiently  demon- 
strated to  my  countrymen,  for  a  series  of  years,  that  I  am  not 
overbearing  on  others,  or  bigoted  to  those  of  my  principle's  which 
are  not  essential  to  salvation  :  I  have  universally  endeavored  to 
promote  a  catholic  spirit,  with  peace  and  concord  in  the  Israel  of 
God.  But  nevertheless  I  am  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel ; 
and  as  such,  circumstances  often  occur  that  require  me  to  contend 
for  the  faith  and  order  of  Christ's  church." 

This  leads  to  a  notice  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  features 
in  the  character  of  John  Williams.  He  was,  to  use  his  own 
phrase,  a  man  of  catholic  spirit.  In  this  respect  he  exhibited  a 
pattern  of  loveliness  which  every  minister  should  imitate.  Some 
men  seem  to  enjoy  themselves  only  in  the  atmosphere  of  contro- 
versy. They  prefer  to  occupy  their  time,  not  in  acts  of  benevo- 
lence, but  in  finding  fault  with  those  around  them.  Though  im- 
movably firm  in  maintaining  the  truth.  Elder  Williams  was  a 
lover  of  peace.  He  regarded  all  who  loved  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  although  there  might  exist  some  difference  of  opinion  on 
religious  subjects.  He  was  in  the  habit  of  associating  with  the 
Presbyterians,  some  of  whom  were  residents  in  his  neighborhood. 

VOL.  I.  12 


134  ^  JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

But  especially  in  his  own  denomination  was  he  solicitous  to  have 
the  unity  of  the  spirit  increased  and  perpetuated.  A  most  in- 
teresting letter  written  by  him  to  Dr.  Rippon  of  London,  in  1*192, 
will  here  be  introduced.  iS"o  one  can  transport  himself  back  to 
the  period  when  it  was  penned  and  call  up  to  his  imagination  the 
events  which  had  transpired,  without  having  awakened  in  his 
bosom  the  most  thrilling  emotions. 

"  Charlotte  County,  Yirginia. 
"Long  have  I  been  desirous  a  door  of  correspondence ■  might 
be  opened  between  the  ministers  and  churches  of  Christ,  of  the 
Baptist  denomination  in  Europe,  especially  in  your  kingdom  and 
those  of  North  America,  etc.  For,  notwithstanding  we  are  at  a 
distance  of  three  thousand  miles,  yet  we  are  born  of  the  same 
spirit  and  pursuing  the  same  glorious  object.  The  convulsions 
and  fluctuations  of  the  times,  with  other  circumstances,  have 
hitherto  prevented  my  making  an  attempt ;  but  considering  the 
desirableness  of  Christian  acquaintance,  the  unity  of  the  spirit, 
and  the  fellowship  of  the  churches,  I  have  ventured  to  draio  a 
how  and  leave  the  event  to  Divine  Providence.  Though  I  am 
not  an  old  man,  I  have  seen  Yirginia  as  dark  as  midnight — 
touching  spiritual  things — except  in  a  few  instances.  But,  glory 
be  to  God,  we  that  sat  in  darkness  have  seen  a  great  light ! 
The  Sun  of  righteousness,  with  divinely  illuminating  and  cheering 
rays,  seems  to  be  rising  to  his  meridian  splendor  in  our  hemi- 
sphere. Jesus  is  going  forth  with  a  bow  and  a  crown,  conquering 
and  to  conquer,  and  we,  the  despised  Baptists,  have  become  a 
numerous,  and,  blessed  be  God,  a  united  people.  Could  you  be 
wafted  across  the  Atlantic  upon  the  wings  of  an  angel  and  sit 
down  among  us,  your  soul  would  triumph,  and  you  would  stretch 
forth  your  hands  to  enable  your  little  sister  in  the  wilderness  to 
make  advances.  If  God  should  bless  the  design  and  a  door  of 
correspondence  be  opened  and  maintained,  I  shall  in  future  give 
you  a  more  circumstantial  account  of  our  churches,  etc.  At 
present,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  say,  we  became  so  numerous  and 
so  extensive  that  we  could  not  with  propriety  associate  at  one 
place  and  time  ;  therefore,  divided  into  various  convenient  dis- 
tricts, each  district  to  send  delegates  annually  to  meet  in  General 


JOHN  WILLIAMS.  135 

Committee,  by  which  union  and  harmony  are  maintained.  There 
were  from  our  beginning  bars  of  distinction  kept  up,  and  we 
lived  under  the  titles  of  Regulars  and  Separates;  but  the  Lord, 
in  his  wonder-working  goodness,  has  caused  this  unhappiness  to 
be  removed,  and  we  have  become  a  united  people,  and  are  now 
distinguished  by  the  title  of  '  The  United  Baptist  Churches  in 
Virginia ;'  the  blessed  and  happy  effects  of  which  it  is  out  of  my 
power  minutely  to  describe.  We  had  before  (but  particularly 
at  the  time  of  the  union's  taking  place)  adopted  in  a  soft,  general 
manner,  what  is  called  with  us  '  The  Philadelphia  Confession  of 
Faith,'  and  which  is  better  known  with  you  by  the  title  of  'A 
Confession  of  Faith,  set  forth  by  upwards  of  a_hundred  congre- 
gations in  England  and  Wales,  in  the  year  1689.'  I  mention 
this  to  give  you  a  general  idea  of  our  principles. 

"Before  the  American  Revolution  the  Baptists  upon  this  con- 
tinent had  a  very  superficial  knowledge  of  each  other  out  of  their 
own  Colonies  ;  but  since  then  a  universal  acquaintance  and  har- 
mony seem  to  be  taking  place,  much  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  interests.  New  England  was 
more  out  of  our  idea  than  Old  England ;  but  now,  blessed  be 
God,  not  only  an  epistolary  correspondence  is  kept  up,  but  per- 
sonal visits  have  actually  taken  place,  at  least  from  them  to  us ; 
the  salutary  effects  of  which  we  are  daily  experiencing.  These 
things  prompt  me  to  be  more  determined  (I  hope  with  an  eye  to 
the  glory  of  God)  to  extend  the  correspondence  to  our  brethren 
and  fathers  in  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain.  Much  in  favor  to 
us  may  be  expected  therefrom."* 

This  sketch  would  not  be  complete  if  we  should  fail  to  mark 
another  resemblance  which  existed  between  Mr.  Williams  and  his 
Divine  Master.  He  loved  the  souls  of  men.  Their  salvation 
was  ardently  desired  by  him.  He  was  himself  active  and  labo- 
rious in  pointing  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sins 

*  This  letter  contains  an  educational  plan,  Tvliich,  when  realized,  Avill 
probably  be  of  considerable  service  to  the  interests  of  religion.  It  was 
forwarded  by  way  of  Providence,  accompanied  with  a  polite  epistle  from 
President  Manning,  expressive  of  his  approbation  of  the  general  design ; 
a  design  which  by  this  time  may  be  more  matured,  and  I  think  needs  only 
to  be  known  in  order  to  be  executed. — Note  by  Rippon. 


136  JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

of  the  world.  Immediately  previous  to  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, while  the  American  army  were  encamped  in  the 
lower  part  of  Virginia,  permission  to  preach  to  the  soldiers  was 
obtained  from  the  legislature,  and  he  gladly  engaged  in  the 
work.  Had  he  lived  in  the  present  day,  none  can  question  that 
he  would  heartily  unite  in  those  efforts  which  are  intended  to  send 
among  the  nations  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  In  allusion 
to  the  success  of  the  gospel  in  our  land  he  thus  writes:  "We 
have  had  agreeable  accounts  from  the  churches  touching  the  ad- 
vancement of  Emanuel's  interest ;"  and  then  he  breaks  out  in  the 
following  prayer :  "  May  the  Divine  effusion  become  general  1 
may  the  blessed  Jesus  go  forth  conquering  and  to  conquer,  until 
his  name  and  praise  be  one  in  all  the  earth  !"  This  prayer  ex- 
presses the  spontaneous  wish  of  a  heart  in  which  had  been  shed 
abroad  the  love  of  Christ.  In  proportion  as  the  evil  of  sin  is 
known  and  salvation  is  prized,  will  be  the  fervency  of  desire  to 
send  the  gospel  to  every  creature. 

While  the  discourses  of  this  man  of  Grod  were  highly  doctrinal, 
there  was  no  undue  stress  laid  on  one  portion  of  the  Divine  Word 
to  the  exclusion  of  another.  Partial  exhibitions  were  not  given 
for  the  sake  of  sustaining  a  favorite  theory.  He  understood  the 
art  of  giving  to  each  his  portion  of  meat  in  due  season.  The 
precepts,  as  well  as  the  promises  of  the  Bible,  were  urged  on  the 
attention  of  the  churches.  A  good  specimen  of  his  views  and 
his  method  of  recommending  moral  obligation  will  be  furnished 
in  the  extract  which  follows  :  "  Notwithstanding  all  that  Jehovah 
is  doing  for  our  American  lands,  what  crowds  of  thoughtless, 
ungrateful  men  and  women  are  to  be  found ;  the  major  part  of 
our  neighbors  and  families,  perhaps  careless  in  sin,  or  reveling 
in  vice  and  luxury.  The  inestimable  worth  of  souls,  the  cause  of 
God  in  general,  and  our  numerous  civil  privileges,  combine  to  call 
upon  us,  in  the  most  serious  and  pointed  terms,  to  stand  fast  in 
the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  us  free.  Every  circum- 
stance points  out  to  us  the  importance  and  necessity  of  holy 
living,  pious  deportment,  a  well-educated  offspring,  and  proper 
family  government.  Heads  of  families  may  do  much,  yea,  very 
'much  is  expected  and  required  from  them.  Of  what  avail  will  be 
the  best  laws  and  well-ordered  civil  government,  the  most  virtuous 


JOHN  WILLIAMS.  I37 

rnlers  and  warm  pathetic  addresses  frora  the  pulpit,  if  religious 
domestic  government  is  not  supported.  What  very  great  dis- 
couragement must  faithful  ministers  of  the  gospel  be  under  when 
professors  do  not  aid  them  by  their  pious  exertions ;  therefore, 
dear  brethren,  be  exhorted  to  strengthen  their  hands  by  walking 
and  steadily  persevering  in  every  practical  part  of  Christianity. 
In  fine,  let  us  all,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  stand  up  firm  for 
the  cause  of  virtue  and  religion ;  let  us  bear  open  and  practical 
testimony  against  the  dissipations  and  extravagancies  which,  in 
their  very  nature,  awfully  threaten  the  interests  of  liberty,  learning, 
morality,  and  religion." 

A  brief  reference  will  now  be  made  to  the  close  of  his  valuable 
life.  He  was  not  permitted  to  see  an  old  age.  A  quotation  from 
Elder  Semple  will  give  all  the  particulars,  which  may  be  interest- 
ing, respecting  the  latter  part  of  his  days  :  "  Being  very  corpu- 
lent, at  an  Association  in  the  year  1193  he  accidentally  fell  by  the 
turning  of  a  step  as  he  was  passing  out  of  a  door,  and  became 
for  a  year  or  two  a  cripple,  being  under  the  necessity  of  going  on 
crutches.  Notwithstanding,  he  would  still  go  in  a  carriage  to  the 
meetings,  and  preach,  sitting  in  a  chair  in  the  pulpit.  During 
several  of  the  last  years  of  his  life  he  was  afflicted  with  a  very 
painful  disease.  Under  his  severe  suffering  he  was  not  only 
patient,  but  when  he  could  have  any  mitigation  of  his  pain  he  was 
also  cheerful.  About  ten  days  before  his  death  he  was  attacked 
by  a  pleurisy  from  which  no  medicine  could  give  him  relief.  His 
work  was  finished ;  and  April  30th,  1Y95,  he  fell  asleep." 

N'othing  very  remarkable  transpired  at  his  death.  He  was 
pensive  and  silent.  He  told  his  wife,  that  to  live  or  to  die  was  to 
him  indifferent:  he  had  committed  this  to  Grod,  who,  he  knew, 
would  do  right.  He  said  he  felt  some  anxiety  for  his  numerous 
family,  but  that  these  also  he  was  willing  to  trust  in  the  hands  of 
a  gracious  Providence. 


12* 


138  LEWIS  LTJNSFORD, 


LEWIS   LUNSrORD. 

EARLY   HISTORY    AND    CONVERSION    TO    GOD. 

Lewis  Lunsford  may  be  enumerated  among  the  most  distin- 
guislied  names  wliich  have  adorned  the  history  of  the  Baptist 
denomination.  He  was  born  in  the  County  of  Stafford,  Virginia, 
about  the  year  1753.  In  raising  up  instruments  to  accomplish 
his  all-wise  purposes,  the  Lord  is  often  pleased  to  pour  contempt 
on  wealth  and  station  in  society,  and  to  make  his  selections  from 
the  obscure  walks  of  life.  The  weak  things  of  the  world  are 
chosen  to  confound  the  things  that  are  mighty,  that  no  flesh  may 
glory  in  his  presence. 

The  parents  of  Elder  Lunsford  were  poor,  and  from  earliest 
infancy  he  was  accustomed  to  the  hardships  peculiar  to  his  con- 
dition in  life.  Though  possessing  a  mind  of  superior  order,  the 
ample  stores  of  knowledge  were  not  in  childhood  placed  within 
his  reach.  But  for  the  grace  of  God,  which  plucked  him  as  a 
brand  from  the  burning,  and  brought  him  into  the  ministry,  his 
splendid  talents  might  have  remained  undeveloped. 

"  Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene, 

The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear; 
Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  siveetnes-s  on  the  desert  air." 

He  was  destined,  however,  to  shine  pre-eminently,  and,  with  his 
powers  consecrated  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  to  be  the  instrument 
of  extensive  good  to  his  fellow-men.  At  what  time  his  conver- 
sion took  place  cannot,  with  precision,  be  now  determined.  It 
must  have  occurred  at  an  early  period,  as  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve he  was  employed  in  preaching  the  gospel  to  others  when  not 
more  than  seventeen  years  old.  The  instrumentality  of  his  turn- 
ing to  God  is  attributed  to  Elder  William  Fristoe,  and  by  him  he 
was  baptized. 

Entrance  into  the  Ministry. 
He  united  himself  with  the  Potomac  Church,  now  called  Hart- 
wood,  and  began  immediately  to  proclaim  salvation  through  the 


LEWIS   LUNSFORD.  139 

blood  of  atonement.  He  was  discovered  by  all  to  possess  remark- 
able talents,  and  crowds  attended  Ms  ministry  from  every  direc- 
tion. His  extreme  youth,  united  with  the  fluency  and  pungency 
of  his  address,  excited  astonishment.  He  was  familiarly  called 
"the  wonderful  boy."  It  is  justly  a  matter  of  surprise,  amid  the 
admiration  and  flattering  attentions  he  received,  that  he  was  not 
ruined.  There  were  indicated,  by  his  stability,  not  only  native 
greatness  of  mind,  but  the  guidance  and  sustentation  of  an  Al- 
mighty arm.  He  was  intent  on  pursuing  the  great  object  of 
extending  the  Redeemer's  glory  in  the  salvation  of  men.  Having 
been  taught  in  the  school  of  Christ  the  value  of  the  soul,  and  the 
immensity  of  that  price  which  has  been  paid  for  its  redemption, 
all  personal  considerations  were  lost  sight  of,  if  by  any  means  he 
might  save  some. 

Extent  of  Labor,  Settlement,  etc.  etc. 

A  few  years  after  his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  he  left  his 
native  county,  and  extended  his  influence  through  all  the  counties 
of  the  Northern  jN'eck  of  Yirginia.  In  Westmoreland,  ISTorth- 
umberland,  and  Lancaster,  especially,  did  the  Lord  make  his  minis- 
trations effectual,  and  believers  were  daily  added  to  the  church. 
Several  churches  were  gathered  as  the  fruit  of  his  toils ;  the  most 
prominent  of  which  are,  JS'omini,  Moratico,  and  Wicomico.  When 
the  Moratico  Church  was  constituted,  in  the  year  17  T  8,  he  was 
unanimously  chosen  to  be  their  pastor.  This  relation  he  sus- 
tained as  long  as  he  lived.  It  is  proper  here  to  state  that  he  was 
never  ordained  by  the  imposition  of  hands,  as  he  entertained  the 
sentiment  that  there  was  nothing  necessary  to  constitute  a  valid 
ordination  but  the  call  of  some  church  to  the  work  of  a  pastor  or 
an  evangelist.  Many  of  his  brethren  at  that  time  considered  his 
course  objectionable  in  reference  to  this  subject ;  they  were,  how- 
ever, disposed  to  make  it  a  matter  of  forbearance ;  they  loved  him 
still,  and  co-operated  with  him  in  every  good  work. 

Of  him  it  might  be  truly  said,  "  in  labors  more  abundant."  His 
was  a  heart  overflowing  with  sympathy  for  the  wretched,  and  he  was 
ready  to  disregard  his  own  comfort  and  advantage  to  administer 
to  their  spiritual  advantage.  If  a  stream  was  to  be  crossed, 
even  at  personal  peril,  and  though  he  must  work  the  boat  him- 


140  LEWIS  LUNSFORD. 

self,  no  hesitation  was  allowed.  Over  one  of  tlie  large  water- 
courses of  the  lower  country,  three  miles  wide,  he  once  paddled  a 
small  canoe  with  a  garden  pale,  rather  than  allow  himself  to  fail 
in  reaching  his  appointment. 

Said  one  who  knew  him  well:  "My  dear  departed  brother's 
zeal  in  the  Redeemer's  cause  has  been  to  me  among  the  most 
pleasing  qualities  I  saw  in  him ;  and  the  more  so,  as  in  a  good 
degree  it  abounded  while  he  was  among  mortals.  His  Lord  well 
knew  what  had  been  given  him  to  do,  and  seemed,  out  of  peculiar 
love,  to  hasten  him  in  his  work,  quickly  to  ripen  him  for  heavenly 
rest.  Being  thus  quickened,  he  spared  no  pains  in  seeking  the 
salvation  of  souls,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  churches,  laboring 
more  abundantly  with  the  people,  at  all  seasons,  not  in  a  confined 
set  of  forms,  but  accommodating  his  seasons  and  places  of  meet- 
ing, his  subjects  and  methods ;  he  thus  hoisted  and  managed  his 
sails,  so  as  to  receive  the  advantage  from  any  heavenly  wind  that 
blew.  One  evening,  preaching  from  the  text,  'As  for  me,  God 
forbid  that  I  should  sin  in  ceasing  to  pray  for  you ;  but  I  will 
teach  you  the  good  and  the  right  way;'  he  said,  'he  was  at  a  loss 
to  know  whether  to  preach  or  pray,  and  wished  the  people  to  sig- 
nify which  they  chose.  A  number  of  weeping  souls  were  soon  on 
their  knees,  and  he  turned  his  preaching  into  praying.' 

"Once  when  he  had  preached  an  evening  sermon,"  continues 
Mr.  Toler,  "  in  a  barn,  many  having  eaten  the  spices  of  the  gar- 
den of  the  Lord,  they  seemed  unwilling  to  close  the  service. 
After  they  had  remained  awhile  longer  there,  and  it  was  concluded 
they  must  part,  they  commenced  singing  in  a  body,  in  the  yard 
of  the  dwelling-house.  When  Mr.  Lunsford  was  on  the  steps, 
going  into  the  house,  he  discovered  the  people  stood  still  in  the 
yard,  unwilling  to  depart,  and  turning,  addressed  them  once  more, 
by  the  light  of  the  candle;  and,  as  rain  falls  freely  in  a  wet 
season,  so  from  this  after-cloud  showers  soon  fell,  not  only  of 
grace,  but  of  tears.  He  said,  '  I  must  confess,  this  is  more  like 
enthusiasm  than  anything  I  have  lately  seen,  but  whether  we  be 
beside  ourselves  it  is  to  God,  or  whether  we  be  sober,  it  is  for 
your  cause.' " 

"  The  zeal  of  mine  house  hath  eaten  me  up."  This  language  of 
the  Psalmist,  and  quoted  by  the  Saviour  as  applicable  to  him, 


LEWIS  LUNSFORD.  141 

might  well  be  used  in  reference  to  Lunsford.  "He  oore  not,  how- 
ever," said  the  above-named  writer,  "  the  name  of  an  enthusiast, 
nor  did  he  deserve  it.  He  acted  upon  deliberate  thought,  and 
was  governed  by  principle.  He  was  highly  pleased  to  see  celes- 
tial fire  among  the  people,  if  even  there  should  be  a  little  wildfire 
with  it,  rather  than  the  appearance  of  lukewarmness.  And  what 
pious  heart  would  not  ?  The  exquisite  transports  experienced 
by  some,  in  religious  exercises,  are  only  known  by  those  who  feel 
them." 

As  illustrative  of  the  quenchless  ardor  of  his  zeal,  it  is  said 
that,  attending  a  night-meeting,  Mr.  William  Bledsoe  preached, 
but  he  was  seriously  indisposed,  and  compelled  to  lie  down  during 
the  sermon.  He  became  much  interested,  and  after  the  preacher 
closed,  arose  and  addressed  the  people  with  unusual  power.  It 
was  a  season  of  deep  solemnity. 

Perhaps  no  man  in  our  State  preached  more  frequently,  or  gave 
himself  more  entirely  to  the  care  of  the  churches — always  appear- 
ing as  messenger  to  the  Association,  and  as  a  delegate  to  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Committee.  Every  Lord's  day  was  given 
to  some  special  monthly  appointment,  besides  which,  an  average 
of  three  or  four  times  every  week  he  was  required  to  preach  in 
the  adjacent  neighborhood.  Extensive  tours  in  other  regions 
were  also  taken.  Says  Mr.  Toler  :  "  He  journeyed  much  to  preach 
the  gospel  in  this  State,  and  his  rides  were  very  lengthy.  I  have 
known  him  ride  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  in  fifty  successive 
hours,  to  reach  his  meetings.  He  seemed  to  be  an  '  angel  flying 
in  the  midst  of  heaven,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach 
unto  them  that  dwell  in  the  earth.'  He  used  to  say,  his  life  was 
a  continual  chase  through  the  world;  and  so  it  was."  Day  by  day, 
and  often  late  at  night,  he  was  found  in  his  journeys — exposed  to 
the  most  inclement  season,  that  he  might  prosecute  his  loved  em- 
ploy. Once  he  is  represented  as  traveling  on  a  tour  of  preaching 
to  the  Valley  of  Virginia.  When  he  left  home  the  rain  was 
falling,  but  he  hesitated  not,  pressing  on  until,  drenched  and  cold, 
he  was  compelled  to  stop  for  a  season.  Having  warmed  himself 
by  the  fire,  he  continued  until  night,  when  he  commenced  preach- 
ing services ;  but  during  prayer  it  became  necessary  to  desist  and 
retire  to  bed,  overcome  by  the  exposures  of  the  day.     Another 


142  LEWIS  LUNSFORD. 

minister  present  attempted  the  service,  and  having  preached,  Mr. 
Lunsford  then  arose  and  delivered  an  animated  discourse.  The 
weather  still  inclement,  the  next  day  he  urged  his  way,  preaching 
day  and  night  through  the  tour.  Crowds  attended  his  ministry. 
Much  excitement  in  spiritual  things  was  awakened,  "  the  people," 
says  Mr.  Toler,  "wondering  at  the  gracious  words  that  proceeded 
from  his  mouth. "  Tours  of  this  kind,  in  the  same  region  of  country, 
were  repeated,  and  with  marked  success.  In  a  single  neigh- 
borhood several  were  baptized,  and  a  flourishing  church  was 
built  up. 

It  is  said  his  journeys  extended  to  the  State  of  Kentucky 
three  different  times.  While  thus  distant  from  his  home,  he  em- 
ployed his  time  in  the  proclamation  of  the  glad  tidings,  passing 
to  and  fro,  in  the  sparsely  peopled  settlements,  that  he  might  con- 
firm the  saints  and  warn  sinners.  Writing  to  a  brother,  after  his 
return  from  Kentucky,  under  date  of  March  11, 1Y93,  he  says  : — 

"I  sit  down  to  answer  your  friendly  letter,  which  brings  the 
agreeable  news  of  the  visit  of  our  brethren,  (Andrew  and  Richard 
Broaddus,)  as  also  to  give  information  of  Mr.  Lyle's  visit  to  you. 
The  state  of  things  with  regard  to  religion  is  somewhat  distress- 
ing in  Kentucky.     What  with  the  doctrine  of  restoration,  and 

some  sharp    contentions   between   and    ■ ,  which 

have  divided   the  Church,  and   involved   the   principal 

members  of  the  whole  Association  on  the  north  side,  the  appear- 
ance is  gloomy,  and  there  is  no  knowing  where  these  things 
will  end.  Notwithstanding  all  this,  there  are  many  precious  mi- 
nisters, and  precious  people,  too,  in  that  country,  who  have  a  high 
regard  for  the  gospel  of  Jesus,  and  are  fond  of  good  preaching 
and  good  preachers. 

"  The  emigration  to  that  country  is  incredible.  Its  fruitful 
soil  yielding  the  most  luxuriant  abundance  to  all  those  who  cul- 
tivate it ;  inviting  the  poor  and  the  wretched  from  the  barren 
wastes  of  this  continent,  and  elsewhere,  to  fly  to  her  fertile  arms, 
that  she  may  fill  their  mouths  with  good  and  their  hearts  with 
gladness. 

"  I  am  happy  to  hear  of  your  journey  up  to  Berkeley.  I  intended 
to  be  up  this  spring,  but  your  going  will  supersede  the  use  of  my 
visit  at  this  time.     I  hope,  however,  to  go  up  some  time  hence- 


LEWIS  LUNSFORD.  143 

Pray,  present  my  most  affectionate  love  to  the  brethren,  sisters, 
and  friends  in  those  parts.  Assure  them  of  my  warmest  desire 
for  their  prosperity.  Accept  my  thanks  for  your  kindness  in 
visiting  this  destitute  place  in  my  absence.  I  wish  to  visit  your 
parts  as  soon  as  I  can  make  it  convenient." 

The  following  has  reference  to  a  visit  from  Rev.  Isaac  Backus. 
Writing  to  a  Christian  brother,  he  says :  "  Nothing  could  have 
been  more  welcome  than  your  messenger,  who  arrived  last  night 
with  the  agreeable  news  of  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Backus  in  this  part 
of  the  world.  I  am  now  filled  with  strong  assurance  of  what  I 
never  even  hoped  for — the  sight  and  conversation  of  the  man 
whose  name  has  long  been  venerable  in  my  esteem.  I  hope  you 
will  accompany  him  down.  I  am  sorry  the  time  is  so  short  to 
give  notice.     I  shall  endeavor,  however,  to  do  the  best  I  can." 

Habits  op  Study,  Talents,  etc. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was, 
by  nature,  highly  gifted.  He  did  not  satisfy  himself  with  these 
endowments.  He  was  diligent  as  a  student,  and  acquired  a  large 
fund  of  useful  knowledge.  In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry, 
when  compelled  to  labor  during  the  week,  while  he  preached  on 
Lord's  day,  he  was  accustomed  to  occupy  a  large  portion  of  the 
night  in  reading  by  firelight.  When  he  settled  in  the  Northern 
Neck,  he  supplied  himself  with  a  small  but  valuable  collection  of 
books,  and  employed  all  the  time  he  could  abstract  from  active 
ministerial  labor  in  the  cultivation  of  his  intellectual  powers. 
His  memory  was  most  retentive.  The  stores  of  knowledge  which 
he  had  accumulated  were  always  at  hand,  and  so  well  arranged 
that,  when  necessary,  he  could  bring  them  forth  and  use  them  to 
the  instruction  of  his  auditors.  In  ability  to  make  extensive  and 
accurate  quotations  from  good  authors  few,  if  any,  excelled  him. 
Among  other  things,  he  possessed  a  very  considerable  taste  for 
the  study  of  medicine,  and  read  the  most  approved  works  on  that 
subject.  His  medical  attainments  were  so  considerable  that  his  ser- 
vices as  a  physician  were  frequently  solicited  by  families  residing 
at  a  distance.  The  following  reference  to  his  talents  as  a  minister 
is  furnished  by  Elder  J.  B.  Jeter,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 


144  LEWIS   LUNSFOHD. 

Churcli,  Riclimond,  and  for  several  years  pastor  of  the  Moratico 
and  Wicomico  Churches  in  the  Northern  Neck : — 

"Lunsford  was  unquestionably  endued  with  superior  genius. 
Destitute  of  literary  acquirements,  residing  in  an  isolated  and 
obscure  part  of  the  country,  having  access  to  few  books  and  few 
enlightened  ministers,  he  rose,  by  native  vigor  of  intellect  and 
dint  of  application,  to  real  distinction.  For  this  distinction  he 
was  not  indebted  to  the  gloom  by  which  he  was  surrounded. 
He  would  have  been  distinguished  in  any  age  or  any  country.  I 
have  conversed  with  several  intelligent  gentlemen  who  were  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  him,  and  who  concur  in  the  opinion  that 
his  pulpit  talents  were  of  the  first  order.  His  conceptions  were 
clear,  quick,  and  sublime ;  his  style,  though  negligent  and  unpo- 
lished, was  plain,  copious,  and  strong;  and  his  gestures  were 
natural  and  impassioned." 

The  following  anecdote  was  related  by  a  living  clergyman  of 
high  standing,  who  belongs  to  a  different  denomination  of  Chris- 
tians from  that  to  which  Lunsford  belonged.  Dr.  S.  S.  Smith, 
of  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  had  engaged  to  preach  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  his  appointment;  through  courtesy  to  Dr.  S.,  Luns- 
ford declined  preaching,  and  repaired  with  all  his  congregation  to 
hear  the  Doctor's  sermon.  Dr.  S.  having  heard  the  fame  of  Luns- 
ford, earnestly  pressed  him  to  preach.  Lunsford,  yielding  to  his 
importunity,  preached  after  Smith  had  delivered  his  discourse 
Dr.  Smith  afterwards  remarked:  "I  had  heard  much  of  Luns- 
ford's  preaching,  and  was  prepared  to  hear  a  great  sermon,  but 
the  one-half  was  never  told  me." 

Testimony  equally  creditable  to  Elder  Lunsford,  as  a  man  of 
talents  and  an  able  speaker,  is  given  by  Mr.  Semple  in  the  follow- 
ing language:  "During  several  of  the  last  years  of  his  life  he 
was  much  caressed,  and  his  preaching  more  valued  than  that  of 
any  other  man  who  ever  resided  in  "Virginia.  Lunsford  was  a 
sure  preacher.  He  seldom  failed  to  rise  pretty  high.  In  his 
best  strains  he  was  more  like  an  angel  than  a  man.  His  counte- 
nance, lighted  up  by  an  inward  flame,  seemed  to  shed  beams  of 
light  wherever  he  turned.  His  voice,  always  harmonious,  often 
seemed  to  be  tuned  by  descending  seraphs.  His  style  and  his 
manner  were  so  sublime  and  so  energetic  that  he  was  indeed  like 


LEWIS   LUNSFORD.  145 

an  ambassador  of  the  skies,  sent  down  to  command  all  men  every- 
where to  repent.  He  was  truly  a  messenger  of  peace,  and  by 
him  the  tidings  of  peace  were  communicated  to  multitudes.  So 
highly  was  he  esteemed  among  his  own  people,  that  but  few 
preachers  visited  them  to  whom  they  would  willingly  listen,  even 
for  once,  in  preference  to  their  beloved  pastoi'.  He  was  also 
clever  in  conversation,  having  a  considerable  share  of  wit,  which, 
in  his  cheerful  moments,  he  would  use  in  an  innocent  but  enter- 
taining manner.  In  argument  he  inclined  somewhat  to  be  satiri- 
cal, and  by  this  means  sometimes  gave  offence  to  those  who  did 
not  know  him  well.  It  was,  however,  perfectly  clear  that  he  did 
not  design  to  sport  with  the  feelings  of  any.  Probably  no  man  of 
his  popularity  ever  had  fewer  enemies." 

Usefulness,  Character,  etc. 

Although  this  distinguished  man  was  taken  from  the  field  of 
labor  in  the  vigor  of  his  days,  but  few  have  accomplished  more 
than  he  did  for  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  He 
was  in  various  respects  useful.  As  a  pastor  he  was  affectionate 
and  faithful.  He  delighted  to  contribute  to  the  relief  of  those 
who  were  in  suffering  circumstances.  Being  qualified  to  adminis- 
ter in  sickness,  he  attended  the  calls  of  distress  which  met  his 
ear,  and  uniformly  without  compensation.  In  regard  to  the 
spiritual  interests  of  his  charge,  he  watched  for  souls  as  one  who 
was  to  give  account.  Mr.  Semple  says  of  him:  "From  the  time 
he  settled  in  the  ISTorthern  j^eck,  and  indeed  from  the  time  he 
began  to  preach  there,  he  gradually  increased  in  favor  with  the 
people.  It  is  hardly  probable  that  any  man  ever  was  more  be- 
loved by  a  people  Avhen  living,  or  more  lamented  when  dead. 
He  had  two  remarkable  revivals  of  religion  in  the  bounds  of  his 
church ;  the  one  about  the  time  of  the  constitution  of  the  church, 
and  the  other  commenced  in  the  year  ItSS,  and  had  scarcely  sub- 
sided at  his  death,  in  1*793.  During  these  revivals  he  was  uncom- 
monly lively  and  engaged.  He  preached  almost  incessantly ;  aud, 
by  his  acquaintances,  after  the  last  revival,  it  was  thought  that  he 
made  a  rapid  advance  both  in  wisdom  and  warmth,  especially 
the  latter,  from  which  he  never  receded  during  his  residence  on 
earth." 

VOL.    I. — K  13 


146  LEWIS    LUNSFORD. 

A  brief  extract  from  the  communication  of  Elder  J.  B.  Jeter 
will,  in  this  place,  be  furnished,  as  it  refers  to  the  character  and 
usefulness  of  Elder  Lunsford :  "  Lunsford  wielded  a  powerful 
influence  in  the  Northern  Neck.  His  amiable  disposition,  his 
affable  manners,  his  sprightly  conversation,  and,  above  all,  his 
unaffected  piety,  gained  him  the  esteem  of  all  good  men;  and 
his  power  of  reasoning,  the  keenness  of  his  sarcasm,  and  his  un- 
daunted spirit,  made  him  a  terror  to  the  wicked.  An  aged  man, 
now  living,  states  that  he  usually  dined  at  the  tavern  at  Lan- 
caster Court-house  on  court  days,  and  that  the  promiscuous  crowd 
gathering  around  the  table  would  wait  with  profound  respect  for 
this  man  of  God  to  render  thanks  for  the  refreshment.  He  was 
eminently  useful.  A  few  are  now  living  to  testify  the  efBciency 
of  his  ministrations.  The  churches  which  he  founded  have 
enjoyed  a  large  measure  of  prosperity.  They  evidently  bear,  in 
the  present  day,  the  impress  which  they  received  from  his  labors. 

"  If  Lunsford  were  now  living,  he  would  be  an  advocate  for  the 
benevolent  institutions  by  which  the  age  is  distinguished.  The 
Moratico  Church-book  contains  an  order,  made  during  his  pastor- 
ate, and  doubtless  by  his  influence,  for  making  collections  to  aid 
the  college  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  now  Brown  University. 
He  was  a  man  of  enlarged  views  and  feelings.  He  corresponded 
with  Isaac  Backus,  of  New  England,  and  Dr.  PJppon,  of  London. 
With  the  Presbyterian  ministers  of  his  neighborhood  he  main- 
tained the  most  intimate  and  friendly  intercourse.  He  appears 
to  have  possessed  a  catholic  spirit  toward  all  Christian  denomina- 
tions." 

Bespecting  his  views  of  truth,  and  sympathy  for  whatever  pro- 
mised to  diffuse  it,  Mr.  Toler,  one  of  his  intimate  associates,  testi- 
fies in  substance :  "  In  preaching,  he  was  accustomed  to  dwell  on 
the  miserable  state  of  fallen  men,  and  the  glorious  scheme  of  re- 
demption through  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  thunders  of  Sinai  did  not 
so  much  mingle  with  v/hat  he  said  as  the  cries  of  Calvary :  Jesus 
as  the  Christ,  his  obedience  to  justify,  his  blood  to  atone,  the  work 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  heart  of  the  sinner,  the  force  of  evan- 
gelical faith,  the  spread  of  Emanuel's  kingdom, — these  were  some 
of  his  favorite  themes.  He  seemed  to  anticipate  a  glorious  future, 
when  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of 


LEWIS    LUNSFORD.  14*7 

our  Lord  and  Ms  Christ.  With  what  pungency  did  he  preach 
the  Word,  what  energy  clothed  his  expressions,  what  arguments 
flowed  from  his  lips,  what  earnestness  streamed  from  his  eyes, 
what  music  dwelt  upon  his  tongue,  while  to  surrounding  multi- 
tudes 

'He  preaclied  as  if  he  ne'er  should  preach  again, 
And  as  a  dying  man  to  dying  men !'  " 

Lunsford  was  a  man  of  weighty  influence.  His  appearance 
and  manners  were  suited  to  impress  favorably.  In  form  erect 
and  well  proportioned,  with  auburn  hair,  light  complexion,  and 
blue  eyes,  in  all  his  apparel  neat  and  becoming,  it  is  said  he 
always  inspired  v/ith  respect  those  with  whom  he  was  thrown  into 
society.  To  quote  Mr.  Toler  again:  "His  discreet  behavior 
entitled  him  to  that  freedom  and  esteem  among  his  aquaintances 
necessary  to  a  minister's  usefulness.  Even  his  reproofs  were  so 
ingenious  as  to  procure  for  him  more  friendship  than  ill-will. 
Though  he  could  easily  be  severe,  he  sometimes  by  gentleness 
gave  weight  to  his  remarks.  The  more  he  was  known  the  better 
he  was  loved. 

"  Some  persons  were  once  hauling  the  seine  near  where  he  was, 
and  he  walked  toward  them.  A  gentleman  present  swore  pro- 
fanely. Mr.  Lunsford  gently  tapped  him,  repeating  an  old  pro- 
verb— 'if  you  swear,  you  will  catch  no  fish.'  The  gentleman  has 
often  said  the  manner  of  the  reproof  obliged  him  to  like  it. 
Some  time  after  this  he  was  a  constant  hearer  of  Mr.  Lunsford, 
became  a  member  of  his  church,  .a  deacon,  and  one  of  his  most 
intimate  friends. 

"Being,  with  others,  at  the  house  of  a  respectable  gentleman 
of  the  bar,  the  dog  came  in;  and  after  speaking  of  his  great  age 
and  how  much  he  valued  him,  the  lawyer  said,  '  I  have  thought, 
when  he  died,  to  have  him  buried  in  a  Christian-like  manner;  but 
I  suppose  I  could  hardly  get  a  parson  to  officiate!'  'I  should 
think,'  Mr.  Lunsford  very  gravely  replied,  'a  lawyer  might  suffice 
for  a  dog.' 

"I  recollect  to  have  heard  it  said,  that  while  Mr.  Lunsford  was 
a  youth,  he  heard  some  people  talking  about  him,  in  an  assembly 
at  a  stage  where  he  had  come  to  preach,  when  one  remarked,  'Is 
that  beardless  fellow  going  to  preach  for  us  ?'    While  on  the  stage 


148  LEWIS   LUNSFORD. 

he  took  occasion  to  say,  '  If  religion  consisted  in  beards,  the  goats 
would  have  had  it  before  now.' " 

Persecutions. 

The  early  part  of  Lunsford's  ministry  was  in  the  midst  of  peril- 
ous times.  ISTo  power  of  mind  or  education,  no  piety,  zeal,  or 
faithfulness,  was  sufficient  to  shield  from  the  assaults  of  persecu- 
tion. It  was  the  portion  of  him  whose  biography  is  now  under 
consideration,  to  suffer,  at  different  times,  for  the  name  of  Christ. 
The  most  prominent  particulars,  relative  to  this  part  of  his  life, 
cannot  be  better  related  than  in  the  words  of  Elder  Semple. 
Referring  to  his  early  visits  to  the  ISTorthern  Neck,  he  says : 
"  Here,  as  in  most  other  places  where  the  Baptists  preached,  they 
cried  out  that  some  new  doctrine  was  started,  that  the  church  was 
in  danger.  Mr.  L.  was  accounted  worthy  to  share  a  part  of  this 
opposition.  A  clergyman  appointed  a  day  to  preach  against  the 
Anabaptists.  Crowds  attended  to  hear  him.  He  told  stories 
about  Jack  of  Leyden  and  Cromwell's  roundheads ;  but  he  could 
not,  by  such  tales,  stop  the  gospel  current  now  swelling  to  a  tor- 
rent. When  Mr.  L.  preached  again  in  those  parts,  they  attacked 
him  by  more  weighty  arguments.  A  constable  was  sent  with  a 
warrant  to  arrest  him.  The  constable,  with  more  politeness  than 
is  usual  on  such  occasions,  waited  until  Mr.  Lunsford  had  preached. 
His  fascinating  powers  palsied  the  constable's  hand.  He  would 
not,  he  said,  serve  a  warrant  on  so  good  a  man.  Another  man 
took  it,  went  tremblingly  and  served  it.  Mr.  Lunsford  attended 
the  summons,  and  appeared  before  a  magistrate.  He  was  held 
in  a  recognizance  to  appear  at  court.  The  court  determined  that 
he  had  been  guilty  of  a  breach  of  good  behavior,  and  that  he 
must  give  security  or  go  to  prison.  He  was  advised  to  give  secu- 
rity, under  the  expectation  of  obtaining  license  to  preach.  He 
tried  but  could  not.  He  often  regretted  that  he  had  taken  this 
step,  and  was  sorry  he  had  not  gone  to  prison.  This  took  place 
in  Richmond  County. 

"After  the  repeal  of  the  law  for  establishing  one  sect  to  the 
exclusion  of  the  rest,  a  banditti  attended  Mr.  Lunsford's  meet- 
ing, with  sticks  and  staves  to  attack  him.  Just  as  he  was  about 
to  begin  to  preach  they  approached  him  i'or  the  attack.  His  irre- 
ligious friends,  contrary  to  his  wish,  determined  to  defend  him. 


LEWIS   LUNSFORD.  I49 

This  produced  a  great  uproar,  and  some  skirmishes.  Mr.  Luns- 
ford  retired  to  a  house.  The  persecutors  pursued  him.  He  shut 
himself  up,  and  they  were  not  hardy  enough  to  break  in  to  him. 
One  of  them  desired  to  have  the  privilege  of  conversing  with 
Mr.  L.  with  a  view  of  convincing  him.  He  was  let  in,  and  did 
converse.  When  he  came  out  he  wore  a  new  face.  His  party 
asked  him  the  result.  You  had  better,  said  he,  converse  with  him 
yourselves. " 

Sickness,  Death,  etc. 

The  following  quotations  from  Elder  Semple,  referring  to  his 
last  hours,  will  close  this  biography :  "  This  great,  this  good,  this 
almost  inimitable  man,  died  when  only  about  forty  years  of  age. 
He  lived  in  a  sickly  climate,  and  had  frequent  bilious  attacks. 
These  were  sometimes  very  severe.  For  two  or  three  years  be- 
fore his  death  he  labored  under  repeated  indispositions,  even 
when  traveling  about.  His  manly  soul  would  never  permit  him 
to  shrink  from  the  work  so  long  as  he  had  strength  to  lift  up  his 
voice.  Sometimes,  after  going  to  bed  as  being  too  ill  to  preach, 
prompted  by  his  seraphic  spirit,  he  would  rise  again,  after  some 
other  person  had  preached,  and  deal  out  the  bread  of  life  to  the 
hungry  sons  and  daughters  of  Zion. 

"The  Dover  Association,  for  the  year  1793,  was  held  at  Glebe 
Landing  Meeting-house,  in  Middlesex  County.  This  was  nearly 
opposite  to  Mr.  Lunsford's,  and,  the  river  excepted,  not  more 
than  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  from  his  house.  Although  just 
rising  from  a  bilious  attack,  he  would  not  stay  from  a  place  where 
his  heart  delighted  to  be,  and  where  he  had  the  best  ground  to 
believe  he  could  do  good.  He  went,  and  appeared  so  much  better 
that  he  made  extensive  appointments  to  preach  in  the  lower  parts 
of  Virginia.  He  was  chosen  to  preach  on  Sunday,  and  he  did 
preach  indeed.  On  Tuesday  he  came  up  to  King  and  Queen, 
and  preached  at  Bruington  Meeting-house,  from  these  words: 
'  Therefore,  let  us  not  sleep,  as  do  others,  but  let  us  watch  and  be 
sober.'  It  was  an  awakening  discourse,  worthy  of  this  masterly 
workman.  On  that  day  he  took  cold,  and  grew  worse.  He, 
however,  preached  his  last  sermon  the  next  day  evening,  observ- 
ing, when  he  began,   'It  may  be  improper  for  me  to  attempt 

13* 


150  LEWIS   LUNSFORD. 

to  preach  at  tMs  time,  but  as  long  as  I  have  any  strength  remain- 
ing I  wish  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ ;  and  I  will  very  gladly 
spend  and  be  spent  for  you.'  He  then  preached  his  last  sermon, 
from — '  Therefore,  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  He  continued  to  grow  worse, 
until,  having  arrived  at  Mr.  Grregory's,  in  Essex,  he  took  his  bed, 
from  whence  he  was  carried  to  the  grave.  In  his  sickness  he  was 
remarkably  silent,  having  very  little  to  say  which  he  could  avoid. 
He  was  fond  of  joining  in  prayer,  and  sometimes  exerted  his  now 
relaxed  mind  in  making  remarks  worthy  of  such  a  man.  He  ex- 
pressed some  anxiety  at  the  thought  of  leaving  his  helpless  family, 
but  appeared  quite  resigned  to  the  will  of  Heaven.  On  the  26th 
of  October,  1193,  he  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus,  aged  about 
forty  years." 

Rev.  Henry  Toler  preached  two  funeral  sermons  for  him :  one 
at  the  place  of  his  death,  another  at  Mr.  Lunsford's  Meeting- 
house in  Lancaster  County,  called  Kilmarnock.  These  two  ser- 
mons were  printed  in  a  pamphlet,  and  annexed  to  them  were  two 
handsome  elegies,  written  by  ladies  of  his  church.  It  seemed  to 
be  a  mystery  to  many  why  God  should  have  called  home  so  great, 
so  useful  a  man,  in  the  bloom  of  life.  Those  who  thought  proper 
to  explain  the  ways  of  Providence  generally  agreed  that  Mr. 
Lunsford's  popularity  as  a  preacher  had  risen  too  high ;  the 
people,  wherever  he  was,  or  where  he  was  expected,  seemed  to 
have  lost  all  relish  for  any  other  man's  preaching ;  that  God, 
knowing  the  capacity  of  most  of  his  servants,  was  unwilling  that 
the  lesser  lights  should  be  so  much  swallowed  up  by  the  greater. 
Perhaps  the  better  way  is  to  form  no  conjecture  about  it ;  but 
rest  persuaded  that  the  ways  of  God  are  always  wise,  however 
unaccountable  to  man. 

"  He  was  twice  married.  He  had  by  his  first  wife  one  surviving 
child ;  by  his  second  he  left  three  children." 

It  will  not  be  inappropriate  to  present  a  few  lines  from  one  of 
two  poetic  effusions,  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Lunsford. 
The  elegy  from  which  the  following  quotation  is  taken  was 
written  by  Miss  Clarissa  Pollard,  afterwards  Mrs.  Hall,  and 
mother  of  Ptev.  Addison  Hall.  It  was  addressed  to  Rev.  Henry 
Toler :— 


LEWIS   LUNSFORD.  151 

Dear  honored  friend,  forgive  my  daring  muse, 
If  at  this  time  so  bold  a  tlieme  she  choose ; 
An  abler  pen  this  subject  might  demand — 
How  then  shall  I  direct  this  trembling  hand  ? 
Can  Lunsford's  fame  be  heightened  by  my  pen. 
Or  made  to  shine  among  the  sons  of  men  ? 
Ah,  no  !  as  soon  might  twinkling  stars  give  light, 
When  yon  bright  orb  dispels  the  gloom  of  night. 

But  shall  I  then  forbear?  must  friendship  lie 
Buried  in  woe  and  deep  obscurity  ? 
While  others  spread  their  woes  abroad,  can  she, 
Who  knew  his  friendship,  sad  and  silent  be  ? 
What  though  unskilled  in  art's  sublimer  rules, 
Untaught  in  all  the  doctrines  of  the  schools, 
Of  birth  obscure,  can  she  her  muse  restrain  ? 
Because  not  eloquent,  is  friendship  vain? 

My  pen,  forbid  this  deep  desponding  sigh : 
Fresh  courage  take  ;  submissive  be,  while  I 
In  faltering  tone  thy  feeble  aid  command, 
To  mourn  a  great  reformer  of  our  land, 
Who,  zealous  for  his  country  and  his  God, 
Proclaimed  the  joyful  news  of  peace  abroad, — 
True  gospel  peace,  through  Christ's  atoning  blood; 
Great  advocate  for  Zion,  Lunsford  stood. 

In  youth  he  rushes  forth ;  wonderful  boy ! 
The  sinner's  terror,  and  the  Christian's  joy. 
"  Go,  herald,  go,"  the  Great  Emanuel  cries  ; 
Forthwith  with  speed  the  obedient  stripling  flies. 
"I  go,  Great  God,  but  trust  thy  grace  alone; 
Thou  seest  me  weak,  do  thou  my  message  own, 
Attend  the  truths  that  I  proclaim  abroad. 
And  let  the  nations  know  thou  art  the  Lord." 

His  prayers  are  heard — through  Heaven  the  echo  rings: 
"I'll  own  thy  message,"  saith  the  King  of  kings; 
"  Thine  eyes  shall  see  a  numerous  crowd  ascend 
From  nature's  night,  and  then  thy  days  shall  end, — 
Thy  days  of  grief,  which  thou  on  eartli  sliall  see, 
Shall  soon  be  o'er ;  soon  shall  thou  rest  with  me. 
Be  patient  then,  and  learn  lo  ki«s  ilip  vo'l  ; 
'Tis  thus  I  wean  the  purchase  of  my  blood 
From  earthly  joys,  that  they  may  seek  in  me 
Unbounded  bliss  and  pure  felicity." 


152  WILLIAM   WEBBER. 

Encouraged  by  his  God,  he  ventures  through 
A  dreary  world,  with  these  great  ends  in  view : 
The  good  of  souls,  the  glory  of  his  King, 
These  fire  his  heart,  and  tune  his  lips  to  sing. 
Unawed  by  wicked  men,  forward  he  moves, 
Bold  in  the  Saviour,  who  his  zeal  approves ; 
With  rapid  flight  he  hastens  to  the  field. 
Resolved,  through  Christ,  the  Spirit's  sword  to  wield: 
Foremost  he  comes,  in  front  of  battle  stands, 
And  Moses-like,  rears  his  extended  hands. 
Israel  prevails  ;  the  foes  of  Zion  flee  ; 
His  eyes  behold  the  promised  company. 

His  work  now  done:  "Go,  Gabriel,"  Jesus  cries, 
"And  bring  my  servant  to  these  upper  skies. 
I  know  his  zeal,  his  prayers,  his  groans,  and  tears. 
His  deep  distresses,  and  heart-rendering  cries. 
I'll  set  him  free  from  bondage,  pain  and  woe." 


WILLIAM  WEBBER. 

To  tlie  subject  of  this  sketcli  are  the  Baptists  of  Virginia  in- 
debted, in  no  ordinary  degree,  for  the  diffusion  of  the  pure  gospel 
and  the  origination  of  many  of  their  churches.  As  far  as  the 
path  he  trod  may  not  be  obliterated  by  time,  it  will  be  a  grateful 
task  to  trace  his  steps,  and  to  review  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  as 
they  were  exhibited  in  his  history. 

Elder  William  Webber  was  born  August  15th,  114:1,  of  re- 
spectable parentage.  Although  in  comfortable  circumstances,  his 
father  did  not  afford  him  a  liberal  education.  This  was  the 
privilege  of  few  in  those  days.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  left  his 
father's  house  and  was  apprenticed  to  a  house-joiner.  There  do 
not  seem  to  have  been  any  peculiar  indications  of  seriousness 
until  his  twenty-third  year,  when  he  heard  some  of  the  Baptist 
preachers,  and  became  concerned  about  his  soul's  interests.  He 
found  joy  and  peace  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
John  Waller.  At  that  period  not  one  of  the  churches  now  in 
the  Dover  Association  had  been  constituted,  and  he  united  with 
the  Lower  Spottsylvania  Church,  that  being  most  contiguous  to  his 


WILLIAM   WEBBER.  I53 

residence.  A  short  period  subsequent  to  his  connection  with  the 
church  he  was  ordained.  Several  years  after  his  entrance  into 
the  ministry  he  was  almost  exclusively  engaged  in  itinerant  labor. 
In  the  counties  south  of  James  River  he  traveled  extensively. 
In  Lower  Yirginia  also,  he  was  most  indefatigably  employed  in 
pointing  sinners  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  In  1'7'74  he  was  invited  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Dover  Church,  from  which  the  Dover  Asso- 
ciation took  its  name.  This  invitation  he  accepted,  and  continued 
to  sustain  the  relation  as  long  as  he  lived. 

The  seals  to  Elder  Webber's  ministry  were  numerous.  He 
whom  he  served  had  made  him  wise  to  win  souls.  Churches  in 
various  places  sprang  up  as  the  result  of  his  self-denying  toils. 
And  when  the  pressure  of  domestic  duties  and  the  maintenance 
of  a  growing  family  necessarily  abridged  his  labors,  he  was  still 
useful  in  his  own  neighborhood.  The  general  influence  he  pos- 
sessed qualified  him  to  do  good  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  first  meeting  of  the  General  Association,  in  lltl. 
With  but  few  exceptions,  he  was  called  to  preside  over  the 
deliberations  of  this  body,  as  well  as  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Convention  of  Yirginia  Baptists.  After  the  organization  of  the 
Dover  Association  he  was  for  fourteen  years,  in  succession,  elected 
to  fill  the  chair.  For  this  office  he  seems,  in  many  respects, 
to  have  been  well  qualified ;  not,  indeed,  by  elegance  of  manners, 
but  by  an  unostentatious  simplicity.  He  was,  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  word,  dignified  in  his  address,  and  commanded  the  respect 
of  all. 

It  will  be  expected  that  something  be  said  concerning  his 
talents.  In  the  pulpit  he  was  distinguished  by  the  plain,  artless 
manner  in  which  he  exhibited  the  truth.  There  was  not  indicated 
in  his  public  addresses  more  than  ordinary  depth  of  mind.  It  is 
said,  however,  that  in  the  social  circle  he  displayed  much  mental 
vigor.  Mr.  Semple  rema,rks,  that  "he  was  a  man  of  sound  and 
correct  judgment,  well  acquainted  with  mankind,  well  versed  in 
the  Scriptures,  sound  in  the  principles  of  the  gospel,  and  in- 
genious in  defending  them."  As  he  commenced  his  ministry  in 
those  times  when  a  corrupt  establishment  prevailed,  it  could  not 
be  expected  that  he  would  escape  the  indignation  of  the  dominant 
party.     By  their  unholy  persecutions  he  suffered  much  in  a  very 


154  >Y1LLIAM   WEBBER. 

early  part  of  his  career,  as  a  preacher  of  righteousness.  It  has 
been  akeady  said  that  his  labors  in  the  counties  south  of  James 
River  were  extensively  useful.  A  few  months  after  his  ordina- 
tion he,  with  Joseph  Anthony,  was  arrested  in  the  County  of 
Chesterfield,  and,  in  the  midst  of  winter,  committed  to  prison. 
He  might  have  been  released  immediately  after  his  apprehension, 
had  he  been  willing  to  give  bond  and  security  that  he  would  no 
more  speak  in  the  name  of  Christ.  This  he  refused  to  do.  He 
remained  in  confinement  three  months.  During  this  period  he 
was  not  unemployed,  nor  useless.  Such  was  the  interest  which 
had  been  excited  in  the  county  by  his  previous  labors,  that  crowds 
frequently  assembled  around  the  jail,  and  from  the  grates  they 
heard,  with  joyful  hearts,  the  message  of  a  Saviour's  love.  The 
wicked  designs  of  his  persecutors  were  utterly  defeated ;  for  the 
word  of  the  Lord  mightily  prevailed.  Many  believed  the  gospel, 
and  acknowledged  the  Lord  Jesus  as  their  Redeemer  and  King. 
Perhaps  in  no  portion  of  his  life  did  Elder  Webber  prosecute 
more  successfully  his  labors  of  love. 

This  was  not  the  only  trial  of  this  kind  to  which  he  was  sub- 
jected. The  very  next  year,  while  on  a  tour  of  preaching,  in 
company  with  Elder  John  Waller,  through  some  of  the  lower 
counties,  he  was  again  seized  by  the  enemies  of  the  truth.  This 
occurred  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  on  the  10th  of  August, 
Ittl,  while  he  was  addressing  the  congregation  from  the  words, 
"  Show  me  thy  faith  without  thy  works,  and  I  will  show  thee  my 
faith  by  my  works."  He  was  assailed  by  a  magistrate,  who,  with 
a  club,  endeavored  to  strike  him  to  the  earth.  In  this  he  was 
prevented  by  those  who  were  present.  Having,  however,  a 
warrant  to  apprehend  all  who  preached,  he,  in  company  with  the 
parson  of  the  parish  and  a  sheriff,  proceeded  to  take  Mr.  Web- 
ber, with  several  others.  Their  saddle-bags  were  searched ;  and, 
finding  nothing  which  might  afford  a  pretext  for  the  charge  of 
treason,  they  were  required,  on  pain  of  imprisonment,  to  promise 
they  would  not  preach  again  in  that  county.  To  obey  God, 
rather  than  man,  they  preferred — even  at  the  peril  of  liberty  or 
life.  They  were  committed  to  prison  and  closely  confined  in  cells 
of  the  most  disagreeable  character.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
felt  happy  in  being  counted  worthy  thus  to  suffer  for  the  name  of 


WILLIAM  WEBBER.  155 

Christ.  On  the  next  court  day,  he  and  his  fellow-prisoners  were 
attended  by  a  guard  to  the  court-house  for  trial.  Il^ot  being  willing 
to  yield  his  right  to  preach  the  gospel,  as  the  terms  of  release,  he 
was  remanded  to  prison.  His  sufferings  were  extreme.  He  was 
allowed  by  the  court  nothing  but  bread  and  water.  This,  with 
confinement  in  a  close  and  offensive  room,  produced  sickness.  In 
his  affliction  he  experienced  the  sympathies  of  many  in  the  county; 
and  such  was  the  influence  of  patient  endurance  of  these  suffer- 
ings, on  the  public  mind,  that  his  persecutors  were  willing,  at 
length,  to  liberate  him  and  his  companions.  He  was  more  than 
six  weeks  in  their  hands,  four  of  which  were  spent  in  close  con- 
finement. 

The  severe  trials  endured  by  him  prove  the  malignity  of  that 
hatred  with  which  the  enemies  of  the  Cross  opposed  the  servants 
of  Jesus.  It  might  be  supposed  he  was,  of  all  men,  least  likely 
to  suffer  at  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  as  he  possessed  the  most 
lamb-like  disposition.  They  hated  him,  however,  on  account  of 
the  truth  which  he  vindicated.  His  was  persecution  "  for  right- 
eousness' sake." 

In  the  neighborhood  where  mostly,  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life,  he  preached  the  gospel,  the  most  marked  respect  was  shown 
him  by  all  classes.  The  churches  for  which  he  labored  were  much 
attached  to  him.  How  could  it  be  otherwise  ?  In  all  his  inter- 
course with  the  world  he  maintained  a  spotless  character.  Affec- 
tionate in  his  disposition,  those  with  whom  he  was  more  intimate 
most  ardently  loved  him.  He  was  a  cheerful,  interesting  com- 
panion. What  served,  most  of  all,  to  throw  a  lustre  over  his 
whole  character,  was  his  unaffected  and  habitual  devotion  to  the 
service  of  the  Redeemer.  He  seemed  to  aim,  in  mingling  with 
others,  to  do  good  and  to  exalt  the  Saviour.  To  speak  of  Christ 
was  his  delight.  The  art  of  giving  a  profitable  direction  to 
conversation  was  possessed  by  him  in  no  small  degree. 

He  lived  to  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  For  seven  or  eight 
years  before  his  death  his  health  was  exceedingly  feeble.  His 
last  illness  was  of  long  continuance,  during  which  he  gave  pleasing 
evidence  of  the  consoling  and  supporting  influence  of  that  gospel 
which  he  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully  preached  to  others.  He 
who  had  been  with  him  in  the  dungeon  and  enabled  him  to  sina; 


156  JOHN   ALDEESON,  Jr. 

praises  amid  insult  and  suffering,  was  now  near  to  illume  his 
way  as  he  passed  through  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
A  short  time  previous  to  his  death  he  was  visited  by  Elder 
Benjamin  Watkins,  of  Powhatan,  who  found  him  in  a  most  rap- 
turous state  of  mind.  "  Brother  Watkins,"  said  he,  "  I  never  had 
such  glorious  manifestations  of  the  love  of  God  as  I  have  enjoyed 
since  my  sickness.  Oh,  the  love  of  God  !"  Thus,  with  heaven  in 
view  and  heaven  in  his  soul,  he  left  the  earth  on  February  29th, 
in  the  year  1808. 


JOHN    ALDERSON,   Je. 


John  Alderson  was  the  son  of  Elder  John  Alderson,  Sen., 
and  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  March  5th,  1738,  0.  S.  In  his 
seventeenth  year  his  father  settled  in  Rockingham  County,  Vir- 
ginia, and  took  charge  of  the  Lynnville  Creek  Church.  At  that 
time  Western  Yirginia  was  comparatively  a  wilderness,  having 
but  few  inhabitants.  Shortly  after  the  removal  of  his  father  he 
took  an  extensive  tour  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  the  country. 
During  this  journey  the  burning  spring  near  Charleston  was  dis- 
covered, which  produced  considerable  alarm  among  their  company. 

In  his  twenty-first  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Carroll. 
He  continued,  several  years  after  this  event,  wedded  to  the  world 
and  negligent  of  eternal  things,  although  he  v/as  often  the  subject 
of  partial  concern.  It  was  not  until  he  had  reached  the  meridian 
of  life  that  his  heart  was  surrendered  to  the  Prince  of  peace. 
Having  suffered  severe  affliction  in  the  loss  of  an  only  daughter, 
whom  he  dearly  loved,  and  in  the  experience  of  severe  illness 
himself,  he  began  to  think ;  some  remarks  of  his  father  also  were 
carried  with  power  to  his  heart,  and  he  awoke  to  the  conscious- 
ness of  his  lost  condition.  The  following  is  his  own  account  of 
his  conversion  :  "My  father  being  much  from  home,  and  I  being 
the  oldest  son,  much  dependence  was  placed  on  me  to  take  care 
of  the  farm,  so  that  I  had  very  little  opportunity  to  learn.  The 
chief  books  I  read  were  the  Bible  and  the  Baptist  Catechism ; 
which  last  I  memorized,  and  not  only  said  it  over  at  school,  but 


JOHN  ALDERSON,  Jr.  157 

also  in  the  public  congregations  on  Sundays  after  sermon.  By 
these  means  I  was  kept  from  all  gross  immoralities.  By  an  ex- 
pression dropped  from  my  father  after  I  had  recovered  from  a 
very  severe  sickness,  my  mind  was  solemnly  impressed.  After 
passing  through  a  painful  and  tedious  law-work,  in  which  I  would 
make  resolutions  and  then  break  them,  I  became  more  deeply 
concerned.  I  sought  the  Lord  with  my  whole  heart,  and  ulti- 
mately obtained  comfort,  great  comfort,  by  reflection  on  these 
words :  '  Ye  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and 
prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone.'" 

It  must  have  been  pleasing  to  his  venerable  father  to  baptize 
this  son.  He  had  himself  been  toiling  almost  alone  amid  trials 
and  dangers,  and  now  he  enjoyed  the  prospect  of  assistance  in 
the  person  of  his  own  son.  He  was  not  long  without  this  assist- 
ance. After  much  anxiety  of  mind  on  the  question  of  duty,  he 
was  at  length,  by  the  great  Mastei',  thrust  into  the  vineyard. 
Bespecting  this  matter  he  says:  "After  many  doubts  as  to  my 
conversion,  I  began  at  last  to  be  exercised  about  preaching.  At 
first  I  thought  it  imposssible  that  so  weak  a  creature  as  I  could 
be  called  to  preach  ;  but  being  persuaded,  at  last,  by  many  Divine 
tokens,  that  it  was  the  will  of  God,  I  entered  upon  the  solemn 
work." 

His  father  having  about  this  time  removed  to  Botetourt  County, 
he  was  ordained  and  took  charge  of  the  Lynnville  Creek  Church, 
October,  1175.  He  did  not  remain  in  Rockingham  more  than 
two  years.  Having  two  or  three  times  visited  Greenbrier,  the 
indications  of  Providence  were  such  that,  in  1111,  he  conceived  it 
his  duty  to  settle  in  that  county.  The  account  of  his  removal  and 
subsequent  labors  are  thus  referred  to  by  one  of  his  descendants  : 

"In  the  year  1T7T  he  removed  to  Monroe,  (at  that  time  Green- 
brier County,)  and  settled  on  Greenbrier  River.  The  few  inhabit- 
ants that  were  then  to  be  found  in  this  region  of  country  were 
not  unfrequently  harassed  by  the  inroads  of  frontier  Indians. 
The  object  of  Mr.  Alderson's  removal  was  to  extend  the  Christian 
religion  among  this  people.  Until  he  came  among  them  they  had 
been  entirely  destitute  of  preaching.  When  unmolested  by  the 
savages,  he  preached  to  the  people  assembled  in  such  places  as 
were  most  convenient ;  when  they  were  necessitated  to  shut  them- 

VOL.  I.  14 


158  JOHN  ALDERSON,  Je. 

selves  up  in  their  forts,  lie  traveled  from  one  garrison  to  another 
to  preach,  sometimes  defended  by  a  small  guard  ;  at  other  times 
his  only  defence  was  the  arms  which  he  bore.  He  frequently  met 
with  opposition.  On  one  occasion  the  occupants  of  a  fort  refused 
his  entrance.  They  at  length  permitted  him  to  preach.  Seven 
years  he  labored  in  this  field  without  seeing  a  single  Baptist 
minister.  In  the  mean  time  he  had  the  pleasure  of  baptizing  a 
few  individuals.  Others  who  belonged  to  the  church  of  which  he 
was  formerly  pastor  had  removed  to  this  settlement.  Of  these, 
making  in  all  twelve  persons,  he  succeeded  in  forming  the  Green- 
brier Church,  November  34th,  1*781.  This  was  the  first  Baptist 
Church  that  was  planted  in  Western  Yirginia.  But  very  few 
were  added  to  the  original  number  until  the  year  1'785.  In  the 
fall  of  this  year  a  revival  commenced  which  continued  until  1*191. 
Though  our  forefathers  termed  this  a  revival,  during  the  whole 
period  above  mentioned  only  twenty-four  persons  were  baptized. 
The  excitement  that  was  produced  had  a  very  powerful  effect 
upon  the  whole  region  of  country.  The  mouths  of  opposers  were 
stopped,  and  the  popular  sentiment  in  regard  to  religion  was 
much  changed.  The  bounds  of  the  Greenbrier  Church  included 
all  that  district  that  now  composes  the  Greenbrier  Association. 
The  influence  of  the  revival  was  of  course  extensive." 

As  the  truth  continued  to  spread,  other  churches  were  consti- 
tuted, the  principal  of  which  were  Indian  Creek  and  Big  Levels. 
For  many  years  he  was  the  pastor  of  Indian  Creek,  and  was  in 
the  habit  of  riding  the  distance  of  eighteen  miles  regularly  to  preacJi 
for  them.  In  the  midst  of  his  heavy  labors  and  trials  in  the  mi- 
nistry, he  was  compelled  with  his  own  hands  to  support  a  growing 
family.  Notwithstanding  this,  he  was  remarkable  for  his  punc- 
tuality in  fulfilling  his  preaching  engagements.  He  never  failed 
to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Association,  and  was  usually  chosen 
to  occupy  the  chair.  As  a  disciplinarian  he  was  so  distinguished 
that  he  was  frequently  consulted  in  matters  of  difficulty  both 
between  individual  members  and  churches.  It  was  his  heart's 
delight  to  respond  to  the  calls  of  duty. 

During  the  year  1805  his  bosom  companion,  who  was  a  member 
of  the  same  church  with  himself  and  who  had  shared  largely  with 
him  in  all  his  trials,  was  removed  from  his  embraces.     This  he 


JOHN  ALDERSON,  Jr.  159 

considered  the  severest  aifiiction  he  had  ever  realized.  For  some 
time  he  was  exceedingly  depressed,  but  ultimately  found  the  trial 
eminently  sanctified  to  his  spiritual  good  and  promotive  of  his 
usefulness.  He  determined  to  give  up  his  worldly  pursuits  and 
consecrate  his  time  more  exclusively  to  the  work  of  preaching  the 
gospel.  To  this  purpose  he  adhered,  and  with  apostolic  zeal 
employed  his  talents  for  the  good  of  the  churches.  As  he  ad- 
vanced in  age  his  labors  were  more  circumscribed ;  but  still,  in 
his  own  immediate  vicinity,  he  was  constantly  engaged. 

Two  years  previous  to  his  decease  his  physical  powers  in  a 
great  measure  failed,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  travel  or  preach. 
For  his  accommodation  several  sessions  of  the  Greenbrier  Asso- 
ciation were  held  at  the  Greenbrier  Meeting-house.  On  one  of 
these  occasions  a  gentleman,  who  regarded  him  as  the  instrument 
of  his  conversion  and  who  had  for  many  years  been  connected 
with  the  Methodist  Church,  presented  himself  as  a  candidate  for 
baptism.  In  relating  the  exercises  of  his  mind  to  the  church 
Elder  Alderson,  seated  in  his  arm-chair,  became  so  overcome  by 
the  ecstasy  of  his  feelings  that  he  broke  out  in  a  most  impassioned 
exhortation,  at  the  same  time  expressing  his  gratitude  to  God  for 
the  distinguished  favors  he  had  received.  The  effect  was  electrical. 
The  whole  congregation  was  deeply  affected.  This  was  the  last 
time  he  ever  appeared  in  public.  Having  made  a  disposition  of 
his  property,  a  portion  of  which  he  directed  to  be  appropriated 
to  benevolent  purposes,  several  of  the  last  months  of  his  life  were 
spent  with  his  son,  Joseph  Alderson.  Excepting  great  feebleness, 
he  enjoyed  good  health,  and  possessed,  in  vigorous  exercise,  his 
mental  powers.  Especially  was  this  the  fact  in  reference  to  the 
things  of  the  kingdom.  He  delighted  to  converse  on  heavenly 
subjects,  and  exhibited  the  spectacle  of  an  aged  veteran  who  was 
ready  to  be  offered  and  the  time  of  whose  departure  was  at  hand. 
He  had  fought  a  good  fight,  he  had  finished  his  course,  he  had 
kept  the  faith.  It  was  his  privilege  to  enjoy  the  well-grounded 
assurance  of  receiving  a  crown  of  life.  He  still,  more  than  ever, 
manifested  an  anxiety  for  the  prosperity  of  the  churches  and  the 
dissemination  of  the  gospel. 

In  January,  1821,  he  was  suddenly  attacked  with  illness  while 
standing  on  his  feet,  and  by  some  of  his  family  was  caught  and 


160  JOHN  ALDERSON,  Jr. 

laid  upon  Ms  bed,  from  which  he  never  again  rose.  He  lingered 
for  several  weeks,  and  at  length  expired,  March  5th,  1821.  His 
remains  were  deposited  in  the  burial-ground  of  Greenbrier  Church, 
there  to  rest  peacefully  until  the  resurrection  morn. 

Two  or  three  additional  allusions  to  this  servant  of  God  will 
close  the  sketch.  He  was  a  man  of  fervent  piety  and  unblemished 
life.  He  possessed  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all.  With  plain, 
unostentatious  demeanor,  and  a  zeal  according  to  knowledge,  he 
proved  that  he  was  "honest  in  a  sacred  cause."  Such  practical 
marks  of  adherence  to  the  will  of  God  are  more  effectual  in 
winning  men  from  the  path  of  death  than  the  most  talented  and 
eloquent  discourses. 

Elder  Alderson  possessed  an  intellect  naturally  vigorous.  Had 
he  passed  his  early  days  in  a  region  and  time  in  which  the  oppor- 
tunity of  obtaining  education  was  enjoyed,  he  would  doubtless 
have  shone  among  the  most  distinguished  of  his  age.  But  living 
in  a  region  comparatively  uncultivated,  and  being  accustomed 
from  a  child  to  labor  for  a  maintenance,  such  advantages  were 
denied.  He  was,  however,  not  negligent  in  the  improvement  of 
his  talents.  As  far  as  he  was  permitted,  by  the  claims  of  a 
dependent  family  and  the  loud  call  for  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord,  he  applied  himself  to  reading,  and  was,  to  a  considerable 
extent,  successful  in  the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  His  preaching 
was  of  a  doctrinal  cast,  yet  highly  practical  He  delighted  to 
dwell  on  the  atonement  of  Christ  and  to  recommend  him  to  the 
attention  of  men. 

He  was,  without  doubt,  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  the 
Baptist  denomination  in  Western  Virginia,  and  it  may  be  doubted 
whether  in  any  part  of  the  State  one  more  self-denying  and  de- 
voted could  have  been  found.  Many  souls,  at  the  last  great  day, 
will  hail  him  as  the  instrument  of  recovery  from  the  yawning  pit. 
No  higher  distinction  need  be  sought  in  this  world,  than  that  to 
which  he  aspired.  To  do  good  was  his  beloved  employ.  He  now 
rests  from  his  labors,  and  his  works  do  follow  him. 


DAVID  BAEROW.  161 


DAYID    BARROW. 

In  noting  the  history  of  this  eminent  minister  of  Jesus,  it 
becomes  an  occasion  of  devout  thanksgiving,  that  in  the  early 
endeavors  of  Virginia  Baptists  so  many  men  of  gifted  minds 
were  raised  up  to  officiate  among  them  as  evangelists  and  pas- 
tors. They  were  in  few  instances  scholastically  educated,  but 
they  were  endowed  with  all  the  elements  of  greatness,  in  their 
strong,  good  sense,  unwearied  industry,  intimate  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures,  earnest  manner,  and  deep-toned  piety.  God  made 
them  what  they  were,  and  raised  them  up  for  the  noble  purpose 
of  sustaining  and  spreading  widely  the  truths  and  ordinances  of 
the  ISTew  Testament. 

David  Barrow  was  one  of  these  men.  He  was  the  son  of 
William  Barrow,  of  Brunswick  County.  His  mother  was  Amy 
Lee,  daughter  of  William  Lee,  of  the  same  county.  David,  their 
second  son,  was  born  October  30,  1153.  His  early  life  having 
been  spent  in  industrial  pursuits  on  his  father's  farm,  he  acquired 
those  habits  of  self-reliance  and  energy  which  in  all  future  life 
distinguished  him.  In  the  seventeenth  year  of  his  age  deep  reli- 
gious impressions  operated  in  leading  his  mind  to  build  a  hope  of 
eternal  life  on  the  Son  of  Grod.  In  the  same  year  he  joined  the 
Baptist  Church,  being  baptized,  as  is  supposed,  by  Elder  Zecha- 
riah  Thompson ;  and  before  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  had 
begun  to  proclaim  the  salvation  in  which  his  own  heart  rejoiced. 
His  gift,  as  a  licentiate,  was  exercised  for  about  three  years, 
during  which  time  he  was  a  diligent  student. 

Every  available  means  for  intellectual  cultivation  were  eagerly, 
sought.  Day  and  night  he  might  be  seen  poring  over  books — 
and  thus  he  made  himself,  what  he  afterwards  was,  a  scribe  well 
instructed  in  the  things  of  the  kingdom.  ]!*fot  only  the  word  of 
God,  but  the  whole  range  of  knowledge  was  surveyed,  so  far  as 
the  opportunities  and  facilities  furnished  would  allow.  He  became 
a  good  English  scholar.  ]S"one  of  the  errorists  in  his  vicinity, 
however  learned  or  gifted,  were  able  to  grapple  with  him.  It 
was  necessary,  even  in  his  early  ministry,  to  contend  earnestly  for 

VOL.  I. — L  14  * 


162  DAVID   BARROW. 

the  faith  delivered  to  the  saints,  and  he  proved  himself  worthy  of 
the  cause  he  plead.  The  noble  stand  he  took,  as  hereafter  to  )3e 
noticed,  arrested  the  march  of  pernicious  sentiments  which  even 
then  had  begun  to  prevail. 

In  his  nineteenth  year  Mr.  Barrow  married  Miss  Sarah  Gil- 
liam, daughter  of  Hinchey  Gilliam,  of  Sussex  County,  by  whom  he 
had  twelve  children.  His  first  pastorate  wa^  with  the  Mill  Swamp 
Church,  Isle  of  Wight  County,  which  had  been  a  little  before 
originated  under  the  efficient  labors  of  Elder  J.  Meglamare.  Ho 
was  called  by  this  body  of  Baptists  to  assume  their  spiritual  over- 
sight, and  in  January,  ITH,  removed  and  settled  among  them. 
The  June  following,  by  the  imposition  of  hands  he  was  solemnly 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry.  He  was  afterwards 
called  also  to  the  care  of  South  Quay  and  Black  Creek  Churches, 
in  Southampton  County.  An  effectual  door  of  usefulness  now 
being  opened,  he  entered  it,  and  labored  not  in  vain.  The  Lord 
wrought  with  and  through  him,  many  scoffers  were  led  to  Christ, 
and  the  churches  were  greatly  increased  in  numbers  and  efficiency. 
He  became  eminently  popular  in  the  pulpit  as  well  as  the  social 
circle.  His  manners,  general  information,  fearlessness  in  the  de- 
fence of  truth,  and  spotless  life,  all  contributed  to  swell  the  tide 
of  beneficial  influence. 

The  labors  of  Mr.  Barrow  were  not  confined  to  the  churches  he 
served.  In  Lower  Tirginia  and  North  Carolina  he  traveled 
much,  and  everywhere  exercised  a  commanding  sway.  But  it 
was  principally  with  the  Mill  Swamp  Church  he  found  his  minis- 
try most  favored.  It  became  one  of  the  largest  churches  of 
the  Kehukee  Association,  with  whom  it  was  then  identified. 

The  year  after  his  ordination  and  settlement  with  this  church, 
trials  of  a  very  serious  character  were  realized  by  the  brethren  of 
the  Kehukee  Association,  in  consequence  of  unscriptural  senti- 
ments and  practices,  which  had  begun  to  prevail  to  a  consider- 
able extent.  In  the  language  of  one  of  their  historians,  "  Several 
of  those  churches,  that  at  first  belonged  to  the  Kehukee  Associa- 
tion, were  gathered  by  the  Free-Will  Baptists,  and,  as  their 
custom  was  to  baptize  any  persons  who  were  willing  whether  they 
had  an  experience  of  grace  or  not,  they  had  many  members  and 
ministers  in  their  churches  who  were  baptized  before  they  were 


DxiVID  BARROW.  163 

converted ;  and  after  tliey  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  tlie 
trutli,  and  joined  the  Regulars,  openly  confessed  they  were  bap- 
tized before  they  believed.  Some  of  them  said  they  supposed 
they  should  reach  heaven  by  it.  Several  of  their  ministers  con- 
fessed they  had  preached  and  administered  the  ordinance  of  bap- 
tism to  others  before  they  were  themselves  converted ;  and  so 
zealous  were  they  for  baptism,  that  one  of  their  preachers  con- 
fessed, if  he  could  find  any  willing  to  be  baptized,  and  it  was  in 
the  night,  he  would  immerse  them  hj  firelight,  lest  they  should 
determine  otherwise  before  the  next  morning." 

Against  this  system  of  baptismal  regeneration  a  few  bold  spirits 
maintained  a  firm  and  persevering  opposition.  Among  those 
who  contended  earnestly  for  the  faith  as  it  was  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was,  perhaps,  the  most  intel- 
ligent and  vmyielding.  He  insisted  that  men  were  to  be  bap- 
tized, not  to  make  them  in  heart  Christians,  but  because  they  were 
already  such,  and  because  this  institution  was  designed  to  be  the 
significant  mode  by  which  forgiven  believers  were  publicly  to  pro- 
fess allegiance  to  the  King  of  Zion.  Other  unscriptural  views, 
also,  he  opposed.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  his  influence 
was  greatly  blessed,  in  arresting  the  tide  of  error  which  was 
beginning  to  set  in  upon  the  churches. 

As  Mr.  Barrow  lived  in  a  day  when  the  contest  was  going  on 
between  the  friends  and  foes  of  religious  liberty,  he  became  one  of 
the  principal  leaders  of  reform,  and  employed  his  talents  and  influ- 
ence to  obtain  a  change  in  many  of  the  then  existing  and  oppres- 
sive laws  of  Virginia.  At  the  meetings  of  the  Association  he 
most  eloquently  vindicated  the  right  of  all  men  to  worship  God 
according  to  their  wishes,  and  urged  his  brethren  to  maintain  a 
united  and  immovable  stand  against  those  enactments  which  took 
away  this  right.  Nor  was  he  unsuccessful.  A  strong  public  sen- 
timent was  created  in  Lower  Yirginia,  which  assisted  to  bring 
about  a  repeal  of  laws  as  injurious  in  their  influence  as  they  were 
unjust  in  themselves. 

Elder  Barrow  had  himself  smarted  beneath  the  severe  hand  of 
persecution.  Several  times  it  was  attempted  to  prevent  him  from 
filling  his  appointments.  His  sufferings  were  frequently  painful. 
"In  ITtS  he  received  an  invitation  to  preach  at  the  house  of  a 


164  DAVID  BARROW. 

gentleman  who  lived  on  Nansemond  River,  near  the  month  of 
James  River.  A  ministering  brother  accompanied  him.  They 
were  informed,  on  their  arrival,  that  they  might  expect  rough 
usage ;  and  it  so  happened.  As  soon  as  the  hymn  was  given  out, 
a  gang  of  well-dressed  men  came  up  to  the  stage,  which  had  been 
erected  under  some  trees,  and  sung  one  of  their  obscene  songs. 
They  then  undertook  to  plunge  both  of  the  preachers.  They 
plunged  Mr.  Barrow  twice,  pressing  him  into  the  mud,  and,  holding 
him  down,  nearly  succeeded  in  drowning  him.  In  the  midst  of 
their  mocking  they  asked  him  if  he  believed,  and  throughout 
treated  him  with  the  most  barbarous  insolence  and  outrage.  His 
companion  they  plunged  but  once.  The  whole  assembly  was 
shocked,  the  women  shrieked ;  but  no  one  durst  interfere,  for  about 
twenty  stout  fellows  were  engaged  in  this  horrid  measure.  They 
insulted  and  abused  the  gentleman  who  had  invited  them  to 
preach,  and  every  one  who  spoke  a  word  in  their  favor.  Before 
these  persecuted  men  could  change  their  clothes  they  were  dragged 
from  the  house,  and  driven  off  by  these  enraged  churchmen.  But 
three  or  four  of  them  died  in  a  few  weeks,  in  a  distracted  manner, 
and  one  of  them  wished  himself  in  hell  before  he  had  joined  the 
company,"  etc. 

Among  other  important  matters,  to  which  the  attention  of  the 
churches  was  called  by  Elder  Barrow,  was  the  subject  of  domestic 
missions.  This  he  urged  at  various  meetings  of  the  Association, 
and,  to  some  extent,  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  consent  of  his 
Kehukee  brethren  to  supply  the  destitution  within  their  own 
limits.  He  was  also  active  in  the  inculcation  of  a  duty  which 
had  been  much  neglected  by  the  churches,  viz.  the  support  of  the 
ministry.  It  is  to  be  lamented  that  the  extortions  of  the  Epis- 
copal clergy  should  have  driven  our  brethren  to  the  other  ex- 
treme ;  many  not  only  failed  to  teach  and  enforce  the  obligation 
of  the  churches  to  provide  for  the  maintenance  of  their  pastors, 
but  declaimed  and  wrote  against  it.  Elder  Barrow,  however, 
took  a  scriptural  view  of  this  subject,  and  was  not  unwilling  to 
disclose  it. 

Elder  Barrow  continued  with  the  Kehukee  Association  until 
the  Portsmouth  Association  was  formed.  This  occurred  in  1791, 
when  the  churches  in  Kehukee  were  forty-two  in  number,  while 


DAVID  BARROW.  165 

the  new  body  contained  nineteen  churches.  These  last  were  all 
in  Yirginia.  During  his  continuance  with  the  parent  association 
Mr.  Barrow  was  one  of  her  most  ef&cient  sons.  He  was  always 
found  taking  an  enlightened  and  dignified  course,  in  the  delibera- 
tions of  her  annual  meetings.  And  when  the  new  association 
was  organized,  he  remained  the  same  active  and  judicious  friend 
of  every  good  word  and  work.  During  his  short  connection  with 
them  he  was  several  times  called  to  occupy  the  chair.  In  1T9Y  he 
removed  to  Kentucky,  much  to  the  regret  of  many  friends  of 
enlightened  piety  in  Yirginia. 

From  Mr.  Barrow's  pen  a  small  pamphlet  was  published,  con- 
taining a  sort  of  farewell  address  to  his  brethren,  upon  his  depart- 
ure to  the  western  country.  He  dwells  with  deep  feeling  on  the 
separation,  seeming  to  break  away  from  his  loved  associations 
here  as  by  constraint — a  constraint  imposed  by  the  parsimony  of 
his  churches.  They  had  not  suitably  administered  to  his  necessi- 
ties. It  was  accordant  with  the  spirit  of  the  times  to  make 
little  or  no  vSystematic  arrangements  for  the  support  of  the  minis- 
try. The  churches  had  suffered  so  sorely  under  a  hireling  priest- 
hood in  connection  with  the  establishment,  that  their  pastors  were 
themselves  accustomed  to  preach  against  the  payment  of  salaries, 
many  of  them  absolutely  suffering  for  the  want  of  competent  sup- 
port. In  common  with  many  of  his  brethren,  Elder  Barrow  found 
it  necessary  to  seek  a  new  home  in  the  more  newly  settled  and 
fruitful  lands  of  Kentucky.  As  explanatory  of  his  reasons  for 
removal,  and  of  his  sentiments  toward  the  brethren  from  whom 
he  was  to  be  sundered,  he  says  : — 

"On  long  and  very  serious  deliberation,  I  have  determined, 
under  Divine  Providence,  to  move  my  residence  from  this  country 
to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  ^s  I  have  been  for  many  years  ex- 
ercising my  feeble  talents  in  the  sacred  work  of  the  ministry, 
which  has  been  the  means  of  procuring  many  respectable  ac- 
quaintances, most  of  whom  I  have  no  opportunity  of  seeing  before 
my  removal ;  and,  as  a  memorial  of  my  unabated  affection  for  my 
friends,  and  to  stop  the  mouths  of  some  few  enemies,  who,  in  my 
absence,  may  say  ungenerous  things  concerning  the  motives  of 
removal  and  the  doctrines  I  have  preached,  I  think  it  best  thus 
to  express  my  sentiments  before  I  leave  this  part  of  the  country. 


166  DAVID  BARROW. 

First,  I  will  give  the  reasons  for  moring ;  second,  exhibit  a  sum- 
mary of  my  creed  ;  and  third,  express  my  parting  wishes  and 
prayers. 

"First.  The  reasons  of  my  removal — Negatively.  It  is  not 
from  any  personal  prejudice  against  any  man,  woman,  child,  or 
party,  under  heaven.  Nor  is  it  to  accumulate  stores  of  wealth 
for  my  children.  For  we  are  informed  by  the  lips  of  inspiration 
'  that  they  who  will  be  rich,  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and 
into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  habits,  which  drown  men  in  destruc- 
tion and  perdition.'  Nor  is  it  on  account  of  the  present  deadness 
and  coldness  of  religion,  for  I  am  well  convinced  God  will  revive 
his  work  in  these  parts.  Nor  is  it  to  get  rid  of  temptations  and 
trials,  for  we  learn  that  affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust, 
neither  doth  trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground  ;  yet,  man  is  born 
unto  trouble  as  the  sparks  fly  upward. 

"Affirmatively. — 1.  I  find  by  long  experience  and  constant 
efforts  I  cannot  comfortably  support  my  family,  educate  my  children, 
and  attend  to  public  calls,  as  I  have  done,  without  falling  into  the 
line  of  speculation.  To  let  my  family  suffer  is  inconsistent  with 
Scripture  and  reason.  '  If  any  provide  not  for  his  own,  and 
especially  for  them  of  his  own  household,  hath  denied  the  faith, 
and  is  worse  than  an  infidel.'  The  business  of  speculation  I  think 
incompatible  with  the  work  of  the  ministry,  or,  at  any  rate,  it  is  a 
difficult  thing  to  attend  to  both.  *  *  *  And,  if  I  must  turn 
into  the  business  of  agriculture,  which  I  think  a  safe  and  honor- 
able employment,  common  sense  dictates  it  would  be  most  ad- 
visable in  a  country  where  the  God  of  nature  has  been  most 
liberal  with  respect  to  soil. 

"  Second.  Another  reason  is,  that  by  the  sale  of  my  property 
I  may  pay  my  just  debts,  which  I  have  been  obliged  to  contract 
for  the  support  of  my  family,  while  I  have  been  otherwise 
employed. 

"  Third.  That  I  may,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  be  able, 
moderately,  to  educate  my  children. 

"  Fourth.  One  distinguishing  trait  in  the  ministerial  character 
is,  that  he  should  be  given  to  hospitality ;  whereas,  in  my  situa- 
tion, with  my  income,  I  cannot  exercise  that  disposition  as  duty 
calls  for,  without  severely  feeling  it  afterwards.     For  these  rea- 


DAVID  BARROW.  167 

sons,  I  leave  this  country  and  remove  to  one  where  J^ature  has 
been  more  bountifal." 

Mr.  Barrow  then  proceeds  to  give  his  religious  and  political 
creed.  It  will  be  interesting  to  note  by  this  document,  written 
more  than  sixty  years  ago,  what  would  seem  to  have  been  the 
theological  views  of  many  of  the  fathers  in  the  Yirginia  ministry. 
We  present  a  part  of  the  pamphlet.     He  says  : — 

"1.  I  believe  in  only  one  indivisible,  eternal,  all-wise,  all-power- 
ful, all-holy,  all-just,  all-good,  self-existing,  self-governed,  omnis- 
cient, omnipresent  God ;  and  that  in  Deity  there  are  three  Divine 
Personalities  different  in  character  and  office,  but  strictly  One  in 
design,  nature,  and  essence,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

"  2.  I  believe  the  inspiration  and  infallibility  of  the  holy 
Scriptures,  as  contained  in  the  Old  and  New  Testaments. 

"  3.  I  believe  the  existence  of  an  everlasting  covenant  between 
the  Father  and  Son,  to  secure  the  salvation  of  God's  elect. 

"4.  I  believe  the  decrees  of  God  are  eternal,  consistent,  wise, 
and  immutable,  and  that  they  extend  to  all  matters  and  things  in 
the  universe  ;  yet,  not  so  as  to  exclude  the  use  of  means,  but  rather 
that  certain  and  proper  means  are  decreed,  to  bring  about  certain 
and  fixed  ends  in  his  universal  government. 

"5.  That  God  elected  or  chose  his  people  in  Christ  before 
all  worlds,  as  a  sovereign  act  of  his  own  good  pleasure,  without 
any  good  or  evil  thing  foreseen  in  them,  as  moving  him  thereto 
or  preventing  him  therefrom. 

"  6.  That  man  was  created  in  a  state  of  innocency,  but  through 
the  seduction  of  Satan,  being  left  to  his  own  natural  powers,  fell 
into  transgression  by  eating  the  forbidden  fruit,  by  which  he 
became  an  enemy  to  God.  The  whole  fountain  of  nature  being 
defiled,  so  that,  by  this  single  act  of  disobedience,  the  whole  race 
of  human  creatures  justly  fell  under  condemnation,  and  are  born 
into  this  world  in  a  state  of  darkness,  corruption,  slavery  to 
Satan,  and  a  whole  train  of  lawless  passions,  lusts,  and  appetites, 
without  either  inclination  or  power  to  will  or  do  the  mind  of 
God,  till  influenced  thereto  by  the  powerful  operations  of  the 
Divine  Spirit. 

"1.  That  it  is  God's  prerogative,  and  that  it  is  consistent  with 


168  DAVID  BARROW, 

his  law  and  sacred  perfections,  to  justify  the  ungodly  through 
Christ's  engagement,  or  by  imputing  his  righteousness  to  them. 

"  8.  I  believe  the  Incarnation  of  the  Son,  or  Word  of  God. 

"  9.  I  believe  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ's  atonement,  for  the 
pardon  of  all  those  whom  he  represented. 

"10.  I  believe  the  absolute  necessity  of  conversion,  regenera- 
tion, in  a  work  of  sanctification  on  the  souls  of  fallen  creatures ; 
not  to  justify  them,  but  to  fit  or  make  them  meet  for  eternal  glory. 

"  11.  That  good  works  naturally  result  from  sanctification,  and 
should  be  zealously  maintained  by  all  Christians /or  necessarij 
uses.     For  these  things  aj^e  good  and  profitahle  to  men. 

"  12.  I  believe  the  safety,  final  security,  and  certain  salvation 
of  all  those  whom  Christ  represents  ;  for  as  much  as  they  are  jus- 
tified of  Grod,  called  and  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"  13.  That  Christ  did  constitute  a  church,  the  foundation,  plan, 
and  government  of  which  is  plainly  to  be  found  in  the  !N"ew 
Testament ;  and  that  professing  and  orderly  believers  only  have  a 
right  to  membership. 

"  14.  That  the  ordinances  in  the  church  are  two.  Baptism  and 
the  Supper.  And  that  Baptism  is  only  rightly  administered 
when  it  is  performed  by  a  properly  qualified  person  on  an  orderly 
professing  believer,  by  dipping  or  plunging  the  whole  body  in 
water,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  And 
that  the  Supper  is  only  properly  administered  and  received,  when 
it  is  handed  out  and  partaken  of  by  such  persons  as  the  Scripture 
directs,  and  eaten  and  drunk  in  a  loving  and  discerning  manner, 
the  laity  with  the  clergy  having  a  right  to  the  wine,  as  well  as 
bread. 

"  15.  That  there  will  be  a  resurrection  of  the  just  and  unjust; 
also,  that  the  righteous  shall  enjoy  eternal  happiness,  and  that 
the  wicked  shall  sulTer  everlastiu";  damnation 


"A  Summary  of  my  Political  Creed. 

"  1.  I  believe  the  natural  equality  of  man,  except  in  some 
monstrous  cases. 

"  2.  I  believe  that  liberty,  with  a  right  to  a  good  character,  of 
acquiring  and  possessing  property,  with  the  enjoyment  of  life  and 


DAVID  BARROW.  169 

members,  and  the  means  of  defending  tliem,  is  the  unalienable 
privilege  of  all  men  who  have  not  forfeited  those  blessings  by 
their  own  personal  misdemeanors. 

"  3.  I  believe  that  government  is  an  evil,  as  it  cannot  be  sup- 
ported without  making  considerable  sacrifices  of  natural  liberty ; 
but,  in  our  present  state  of  depravity,  it  is  to  be  preferred  to  a 
state  of  nature. 

"  4.  That  government  is  a  civil  compact  of  a  people  emerg- 
ing from  a  state  of  nature,  contrived  by  themselves  for  their  own 
security,  and  is  subject  to  the  control,  and  is  liable  to  alteration, 
when  thought  proper  by  a  majority  of  such  community. 

"5.  That  no  man  can  be  bound  in  person  or  property  but  by 
laws  of  his  own  making,  or  that  of  his  representatives,  fairly 
chosen. 

"  6.  That  all  natural-born  citizens,  arriving  at  an  age,  the  com- 
munity may  have  a  call  for  their  services  ;  and  all  emigrants, 
having  conformed  to  the  rules  of  naturalization,  are  entitled  to 
the  right  of  suffrage. 

'"7.  That  no  description  of  men,  having  gained  such  confidence 
of  their  fellow-citizens  as  to  have  a  majority  of  suffrages  in  fair 
and  free  elections,  can  be  excluded  the  office  of  judge,  represen- 
tative, etc. 

"  8.  That  representatives  and  judges  are  trustees  and  ser- 
vants of  the  people,  and  are  constantly  accountable  to  them. 

"  9.  That  it  would  be  good  for  a  community  that  no  man  exer- 
cise more  than  one  office  under  government,  at  the  same  time,  of 
any  kind  whatsoever. 

"10.  That  the  military  ought  to  be  under  strict  subordination 
to  the  civil  power. 

"  11.  That  representatives  should  be  chosen  annually. 

"  12.  That  all  officers  or  servants  of  the  people  should  have 
moderate,  but  sufficient  salaries,  fixed  by  law. 

"  13.  That  all  religious  tests  and  ecclesiastical  establishments 
are  oppresive,  and  infringing  the  rights  of  conscience. 

"  14.  That  civil  rulers  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  religion 
in  their  public  capacities  than  private  men,  save  only  that  they 
should  protect  its  professors  in  the  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  it, 
with  life,  property,  character,  in  common  with  other  good  citizens. 

VOL.  I.  15 


170  DAVID   BARROW. 

"  15.  That  no  man,  or  set  of  men,  in  a  community,  are  entitled 
to  exclusive  privileges. 

"16.  That  the  liberty  of  the  press,  and  the  people's  right  to 
express  their  grievances,  cannot  be  restrained,  but  by  tyrannical 
governments. 

"  IT.  That  a  well-regulated  militia  is  the  best  natural  defence 
of  a  free  government. 

"  18.  I  believe,  in  a  situation  like  ours,  that  an  indissolvable 
union  and  well-planned  confederation  of.  the  States  are  essen- 
tially necessary  to  their  safety  and  well-being. 

"19.  That  trial  by  jury,  though  liable  to  some  exceptions,  is 
most  to  be  depended  on. 

"  20.  That  unreasonable  or  excessive  bail  should  never  be  re- 
quired of  any  man. 

"21.  That  tortures,  to  force  confession  of  suspected  crimes,  are 
cruel  and  heathenish. 

"  22.  That  long  and  unnecessary  imprisonment  is  tyrannical. 

"  23.  That  general  warrants  to  search  suspected  places  should 
;,ne,ver  be  granted,  but  on  probable  evidence. 
\  "^L  I  believe,  as  no  individual  has  a  right  to  take  his  own  life 
oh  any  suppled  dissatisfaction,  or  deprive  another  of  his  species 
of  existence,  except  in  self-defence,  consequently  no  community 
can  delegate  a  power,  to  their  representatives  to  do  that  they 
themselves  have  not  a  right  to  do,  either  separately  or  collectively, 
only  as  above  stated.  This  may  show  the  necessity  of  propor- 
tioning iDunishmenis  to  crimes,  and  the  utility  of  pentitentiary 
houses. 

"  25.  That  no  community  can  long  enjoy  tranquillity  but  by 
strict  adherence  to  virtue  and  frequent  recourse  to  fundamental 
principles. 

"26.  Lastly.  That  honesty  forever  was,  and  forever  will  be, 
the  best  policy. 

"  III.  Express  my  parting  prayers  and  ardent  wishes. 

"  I  most  heartily  pray  for,  and  with  the  prosperity  of  the  true 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  general !  That  she  may  keep  the  or- 
dinances as  they  luere  delivered  to  her  at  the  first  That  she 
may  maintain  a  regular  and  gospel  discipline.  That  she  may 
shortly  experience  a  glorious  revival  and  numberless  additions, 
and  arise  and  shake   herself  from  the  dust,  and  appear  the 


DAVID   BARROW.  l-jl 

beauty  of  the  wliole  earth.  I  wisli  all  false  doctrines  and  hereti- 
cal principles  may  clearly  be  discovered,  and  sink  into  darkness, 
where  they  belong ;  and  that  '  Heaven-born  truth'  may  univer- 
sally prevail.  I  most  ardently  whh.  that  all  those  unhappy  divi 
sions,  animosities,  janglings,  groundless  criticisms,  heart-burnings, 
evil-speaking,  love  of  pre-eminence,  and  persecution,  which  have 
so  long  torn  the  Church  of  Christ,  may  happily  and  entirely  sub- 
side. That  all  party  names  may  be  lost  in  oblivion,  and  that  an 
indissolvable  union  may  take  place  among  all  true  Christians,  upon 
the  old  apostolic  plan." 

After  Mr.  Barrow's  removal  to  Kentucky  he  continued  to  pur- 
sue his  ministerial  work  with  diligence  and  success.  While  he 
lived,  he  was  a  useful  minister  of  the  gospel,  although  some 
difficulty  was  created  by  his  peculiar  views  on  the  subject  of 
slavery.  His  death  occurred  about  the  year  1814,  having  reached 
a  good  old  age,  and  spent  by  far  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in 
preaching  the  gospel  of  the  blessed  G-od.  His  age,  at  the  time 
of  his  dismissal  from  the  earth,  was  about  seventy-five  years. 

Elder  Barrow  possessed  a  discriminating  mind.  His  talents 
were  of  a  high  order.  It  is  much  to  be  questioned  whether,  as  a 
speaker,  he  has  ever  been  excelled  by  any  Baptist  minister  of 
Virginia  or  Kentucky.  He  rarely  attended  an  Association, 
when  he  was  not  chosen  to  occupy  the  pulpit  on  Lord's  day.  His 
discourses  were  expressed  with  clearness  and  furnished  with  the 
happiest  illustrations.  He  was  a  man  of  peace,  of  imcoramon 
meekness ;  and  but  few  holier  men  have  been  found  in  the  gospel 
ministry  in  modern  times.  Religion  was  the  general  topic  of 
conversation  wherever  he  went ;  and  into  whatever  society  he 
might  enter,  by  godly  conversation  and  fervent  prayer  he  would 
be  known  as  a  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  "  He  magnified  his 
office  ;"  and  while  his  sermons  were  argumentative  and  doctrinal, 
he  was  regarded  as  a  "  son  of  consolation,"  confirming  the  souls 
of  the  disciples  wherever  he  preached. 

As  a  pastor,  he  was  much  beloved  and  highly  useful.  He  pre- 
sided in  this  capacity  over  the  churches  of  South  Quay,  Mill 
Swamp,  and  Black  Creek,  in  Yirginia,  and  over  others  after  he 
removed  to  Kentucky.  Many,  through  his  instrumentality,  were 
brought  to  a  knovrledge  of  the  truth,  and  instructed  in  the  things 
of  the  kingdom.   . 


172  JAMES  BELL. 


JAMES    BELL. 


Elder  James  Bell  was  born  in  Sussex  County  in  1745.  His 
parents  were  connected  with  the  Episcopal  church,  and  conformed 
to  all  its  externals,  while  it  seems  they  did  iio*t  make  any  preten- 
sions to  renewal  of  heart.  Their  children  being  educated  to 
regard  the  forms  of  Episcopacy,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  continued 
his  adherence  until  his  conversion  to  God. 

Of  his  earlier  years  but  little  is  known,  excepting  that  in  child- 
hood he  gave  indications  of  a  mind  highly  gifted  by  nature. 
When  he  arrived  at  manhood  and  a  full  development  of  his  talents 
was  made,  he  became  the  subject  of  much  admiration  and  esteem. 
He  was  invited  to  several  important  offices  in  Sussex  County, 
which  he  accepted  and  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  Having 
been  urged  to  become  a  candidate  for  the  General  Assembly  of 
Yirginia,  he  was  elected  by  a  large  majority.  The  county  was 
represented  by  him  for  many  years,  during  which  time  he  became 
increasingly  popular,  and  enjoyed  the  respect  not  only  of  his  own 
county  men  but  of  many  of  the  surrounding  counties. 

In  the  midst  of  this  prosperity  he  lived  without  God.  How 
strangely  does  the  perverseness  of  the  human  heart  exhibit  itself, 
by  a  proud  neglect  of  the  Bible  and  its  requirements,  in  proportion 
to  the  number  and  variety  of  earthly  blessings  enjoyed  !  Espe- 
cially when  elevation  in  official  dignity  is  attained,  are  men  prone 
to  look  down  with  contempt  on  those  obligations  imposed  by  the 
God  of  heaven.  It  is  esteemed  a  meanness  to  embrace  the  doc- 
trines and  obey  the  precepts  of  Him  who  died  on  the  cross.  Thus 
it  was  with  Mr.  Bell.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  subdued 
the  enmity  of  his  heart  and  led  him  into  the  path  of  life.  Thought- 
fulness  on  Divine  things  was  at  first  occasioned  by  a  visit  of  his 
brother  Benjamin,  who  for  some  years  had  resided  at  the  South, 
and  who  had  become  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  The 
relation  his  brother  gave  of  the  change  he  had  experienced,  and 
the  affectionate  concern  which  was  manifested  for  his  welfare, 
affected  him  deeply.  His  eyes  were  opened  to  discover  his  own 
miserable  condition,  and  in  the  anguish  of  his  soul  he  began  to 


JAMES   BELL.  1^3 

inquire  for  the  way  of  salvation.  He  was  brought  into  a  new 
world.  Christ  became  the  foundation  of  his  hopes  and  exceed- 
ingly precious  to  his  heart.  The  whole  current  of  his  desires  and 
habits  now  received  a  new  direction.  He  renounced  his  worldly 
honors,  not  because  he  esteemed  the  occupancy  of  honorable 
stations  in  civil  life  inconsistent  with  his  relation  to  Christ,  but 
because  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  spend  his  days  in  preaching  the 
gospel.  Accordingly,  having  been  baptized  by  Elder  John  Meg- 
lamare,  he  began  to  recommend  the  service  of  his  new  Master  to 
all  around  him. 

The  baptism  of  Elder  Bell  occurr  m  It  10.  He  attached 
himself  to  the  church  called  Raccoon  Swamp,  and  continued 
among  them  until  within  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  when 
he  joined  Sappony  Church.  After  laboring  for  some  time  as  an 
itinerant,  he  was  called  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of  Sappony 
Church.  He  was  instrumental  in  winning  many  souls  to  God 
and  building  up  the  churches.  He  was  zealous  in  the  perform- 
ance of  his  work,  and  his  zeal  was  according  to  knowledge.  The 
unblemished  character  which  he  sustained  did  much  to  make  his 
ministry  useful.  All  respected  him  as  a  consistent  follower  of  the 
Redeemer.  The  ministerial  career  of  this  servant  of  God  was 
short.  His  death  occurred  in  September,  1TY8,  about  eight  years 
after  his  connection  with  the  church,  and  in  his  forty-third  year. 
Some  time  before  his  departure  he  desired  that  all  his  family  might 
be  collected  together,  that  he  might  give  his  dying  advice.  It  was 
an  affecting  scene.  The  man  of  God  just  on  the  verge  of  heaven, 
and  leaving  behind  him  many  who  would  be  exposed  to  the  cor- 
rupting influence  of  this  world,  could  not  be  satisfied  without 
giving  once  more  the  voice  of  affectionate  warning.  He  exhorted 
his  children  and  all  who  were  present  to  make  preparation  for 
another  world.  In  the  most  distinct  terms  he  referred  to  his  own 
prospects,  declaring  that  Christ,  and  Christ  alone,  was  the 
foundation  of  his  hope.  Elder  Burkitt  being  present,  was  re- 
quested to  preach  his  funeral  sermon  from  the  words  of  Paul,  "It 
is  a  faithful  saying,"  etc.  Thus  was  God  pleased  in  his  inscrutable 
wisd<^m  to  deprive  the  church  at  Sappony  of  her  beloved  pastor, 
and  the  cause  at  large  of  an  efficient  helper.  "How  unsearchable 
are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out !" 

15* 


LJ4  JAMES   GARNETT. 


JAMES    GARNETT.* 

Elder  James  Garnett,  Sen.,  was  born  in  Culpepper  County 
in  November,  1143.  His  father,  Captain  Anthony  Garnett,  was 
a  man  of  respectable  standing  in  civil  society,  but  made  no  pro- 
fession of  religion.  His  mother  was  a  very  pious  member  of  the 
Methodist  church,  and  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  her  children.  The  Lord,  whose  "eyes  are  over  the 
righteous,"  heard  her  supplications,  and  brought  many  of  her 
children  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;  among  the  number  was  the 
subject  of  this  brief  memoir.  During  his  youth  and  early  man- 
hood he  was  very  wild  and  thoughtless.  He  was  a  strong,  active 
man,  and  took  much  pleasure  in  feats  of  agility,  particularly  in 
foot-racing,  in  which  he  greatly  excelled.  Thus  he  continued 
walking  according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  and  giving  no 
evidence  of  any  particular  concern  about  the  welfare  of  his  soul, 
until  he  was  nearly  thirty  years  old.  But  the  Lord  had  mercy  in 
store  for  him.  About  17 YO,  under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Elijah 
Craig,  he  received  religious  impressions,  which  continued  many 
months  before  he  obtained  a  hope.  His  convictions  were  unusually 
severe,  and  sometimes  the  agony  of  his  soul  was  overpowering. 
On  arriving,  on  a  Lord's  day,  in  sight  of  Blue  Run  Meeting- 
house, he  heard  the  saints  singing  the  well-known  hymn  of  Dr. 

Watts, 

"Lord,  what  a  wretched  land  is  this  !" 

It  made  such  an  impression  on  his  mind  that,  before  he  reached 
the  house,  he  fell  to  the  ground,  unable  to  proceed  farther.  He 
felt  the  full  force  of  those  words;  to  him  this  was  a  "wretched 
land,"  and  the  world  could  give  no  relief  to  his  distressed  mind. 
No  cheering  fruits,  no  wholesome  trees,  nor  streams  of  living  joy 
were  to  be  found.  Thus  guilty,  condemned,  and  almost  in  despair, 
he  lay  until  the  singers  reached  the  words  of  the  same  hymn, 

"But  Judah's  lion  guards  the  way, 
And  guides  the  strangers  home." 

At  this  moment  his  mind  was  relieved,  and  he  found  peace  from 
*  By  James  Slaughter. 


JAMES    GAKNETT.  I75 

a  view  of  the  fullness,  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  "  Lion  of  the  tribe  of 
Judah,"  who  has  promised  to  guide  the  strangers  and  pilgrims 
home  to  eternal  rest. 

He  was  baptized  shortly  afterwards  by  Elder  Elijah  Craig, 
and  became  a  member  of  Blue  Run  Church,  in  Orange  County. 
It  was  soon  apparent  that  he  felt  more  than  ordinary  concern 
for  the  salvation  of  perishing  sinners  around  him ;  and  though 
he  had  been  favored  with  a  very  limited  education  and  was  sensi- 
ble of  the  greatness  of  the  work  before  him,  yet  he  conferred  not 
with  flesh  and  blood,  but,  urged  on  by  a  sense  of  duty  and  an 
ardent  love  for  the  souls  of  men,  zealously  engaged  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry.  Nor  did  he  labor  in  vain.  The  Lord  blessed  his 
efforts  to  the  awakening  of  many. 

When  Crooked  Run  Church  was  constituted,  which  was  soon 
after  the  baptism  of  Elder  Garnett,  he  became  a  member  of  that 
body,  and  in  about  two  years  was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of 
that  church.  This  office  he  filled  until  a  short  time  before  his 
death,  in  1830,  a  period  of  more  than  fifty-five  years.  He  resigned 
the  office  at  last  solely  because  his  bodily  infirmities  prevented 
him  from  rendering  efficient  service.  Under  his  pastoral  care 
the  church  at  Crooked  Run  generally  enjoyed  much  peace  and 
harmony,  and  was  blessed  with  many  refreshing  seasons,  when 
large  additions  were  made  to  her  numbers. 

In  point  of  morality  and  correct  Christian  deportment  few  have 
surpassed  Elder  Garnett.  He  was  a  pattern  to  all  who  knew 
him.  Such  was  "the  even  tenor  of  his  way,"  that  his  presence 
produced  impressions  of  awe  and  veneration  upon  the  minds  of 
the  irreligious.  A  near  neighbor  of  his,  a  professed  infidel,  has 
been  frequently  heard  to  declare  that  he  had  often  been  checked, 
and  constrained  to  desist  from  his  evil  practices,  by  the  sight  and 
Christian  deportment  of  Elder  Garnett.  At  home  or  abroad,  in 
public  or  private,  he  was  always  the  same.  Rehgion  was  bis 
constant  theme,  and  he  never  heard  of  the  prosperity  of  Zion  or 
revivals  of  the  Loi'd's  work,  either  far  or  near,  but  it  seemed  to 
put  new  life  into  him  and  call  forth  expressions  of  gratitude  to 
God  for  his  goodness  to  men. 

For  nearly  sixty  years  he  was  an  active  laborer  in  the  vineyard 
of  the   Lord,  feeding  the  flock   and  winning  souls  to   Christ. 


176  JAMES   GARNETT. 

Altliough  he  had  a  call  to  take  charge  of  some  other  churches, 
he  declined  all,  and  confined  his  ministrations  mostly  to  Crooked 
Run  Church,  where  he  generally  worshiped   every  Lord's  day. 
But  for  eight  or  ten  years  before  his  death  he  was  greatly  afflicted 
with  the  asthma,  which  circumscribed  his  labors  and  prevented 
his  preaching  beyond  the  limits  of  his  immediate  neighborhood. 
It  was,  for  a  considerable  time,  with  great  difficulty  that  he  could 
get  to  the  house  of  worship  on  Lord's  days.     But  such  was  his 
love  for  the  sanctuary,  that  if  he  was  able  only  to  sit  up  he 
would  have  his  family  convey  him  to  the  house  of  God,  and,  being 
unable  to  stand,  he  would  sit  in  his  chair  and  pray,  preach,  and 
exhort,  until  his  bodily  strength  was  almost  exhausted.     The  last 
Sabbath  he  spent  on  earth  he  passed  the  hours  of  worship  with 
the  church  and  congregation  at  Crooked  Bun  ;  when  with  more 
than  ordinary  feeling  and  many  tears  he  exhorted  his  brethren  to 
love  and  good  works,  and  warned  sinners,  in  view  of  a  coming 
judgment,  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.     That  day  will  long 
be  remembered  by  many  who  were  present.     Much  that  he  said 
gave  evidence  that  he  had  some  presentiment  of  the  fact  that  the 
time  of  his  "departure  was  at  hand."     He  in  effect  took  leave  of 
his  brethren,  saying,  "  If  I  never  see  you  again  in  this  world, 
from  my  heart  I  wish  you  well,  and  I  hope  to  meet  you  in  a 
better  world ;  if  I  have  ever  said  anything  to  wound  the  character 
or  feelings  of  any  of  you,  I  now  ask  to  be  forgiven."     He  was 
then  apparently  in  the  enjoyment  of  as  good  health  as  he  had 
been   for   several  years.     But  the  Lord  had  ordained  that  he 
should  spend  the  next  Sabbath  in  that  region  where  the  weary 
pilgrim  is  at  rest.     Accordingly,  two  or  three  days  after,  on  the 
16th  of  April,  1830,  he  suddenly  expired,  having  only  time  to 
take  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  family.     He  breathed  his  last,  in 
the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  with  a  pleasing  smile  and  coun- 
tenance, indicative  of  assurance  that  heaven  was  his  home  and 
that  angels  were  ready  to  convey  his  spirit  there.     He  often  said 
he  could  not  feel  afraid  of  death,  and  so  it  seemed  to  be  when  the 
messenger  came. 

His  funeral  sermon  was  preached,  the  day  after  his  decease,  by 
his  grandson.  Elder  James  Garnett,  Jr.,  (who  succeeded  him  in 
the  pastoral  charge  at  Crooked  Bun,)  from  2  Timothy,  iv.  7 : 


JAMES  GARNETT.  l^f 

"I  have  fought  a  good  fight,"  etc.     The  services  were  closed  by 
singing  a  favorite  hymn  of  the  deceased, — 

"Jerusalem,  my  liappy  home!" 
It  was  a  solemn  and  melting  time.  Doubtless  many  present 
remembered,  with  hearts  flowing  with  gratitude,  love,  and  venera- 
tion, the  delightful  seasons  they  had  enjoyed  with  this  aged,  de- 
voted servant  of  God.  How  beautifully  verified  are  the  words  of 
the  Psalmist  in  the  case  of  the  deceased  :  "Mark  the  perfect  man, 
and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace."  Pre- 
cious in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints. 

Elder  Garnett  was  twice  married.  He  raised  fourteen  children, 
all  of  whom  have  been  hopefully  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  and  have  become  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  a  wonder- 
ful instance  of  the  blessing  of  God  on  obedience  to  the  injunction 
to  Christian  parents  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord.  Two  of  his  sons,  Robert  and  John 
Garnett,  have  for  many  years  been  engaged  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry. 

Elder  Garnett's  preaching  talents  were  not  of  a  high  order,  but 
the  purity  of  his  life,  and  the  fervor  of  his  appeals  to  the  uncon- 
verted manifesting  the  most  constant  love  for  the  souls  of  men, 
made  a  deep  impression  on  those  who  heard  him.  His  preaching 
was  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  many.  His  name  and  character 
are  held  in  esteem  and  veneration  by  the  whole  circle  of  his 
acquaintance.  It  was  said  that  he  was  never  known  to  converse 
OH  any  other  subject  than  religion  while  going  to  the  house  of 
worship  on  Lord's  day.  In  conversation  with  a  brother  in  the 
ministry,  upon  the  subject  of  a  careless  life  and  light-mindedness 
in  some  professing  religion.  Elder  Garnett  expressed  his  fears  that 
many  such  were  deceived.  The  brother  reminded  him  of  Peter's 
fall,  and  urged  that  such  an  example  ought  to  induce  the  exer- 
cise of  much  charity  to  such  professors.  "Ah,"  said  Elder  Gar- 
nett, "I  have  no  idea  of  feeding  Christians  on  Peter's  sins."  This 
sentiment  is  worthy  of  being  remembered ;  it  may  serve  as  a  re- 
proof to  some  who,  instead  of  taking  shame  to  themselves  for 
giving  so  little  evidence  of  the  life  and  power  of  religion  in  their 
general  deportment,  take  consolation  and  encouragement  from  the 
occasional  stumblings  and  misdoings  of  others. 

VOL.  I. — M 


Its  GEORGE  LAYFIELD. 


GEORGE   LAYFIELD. 


It  is  to  be  lamented  that  the  memory  of  a  man  who  was  so 
much  and  so  deservedly  regarded  as  Elder  George  Layeield 
should  have  been  allowed,  in  a  measure,  to  perish.  His  parents, 
George  and  Elizabeth  Layfield,  were  residents  of  Maryland,  in 
which  State  he  was  born,  October  2'7th,  1H9.  He  became  a  pro- 
fessor of  religion  in  early  life,  and  for  several  years  was  connected 
with  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  seems  to  have  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  the  subject  of  infant  sprinkling,  or  even  indulged  a  sus- 
picion that  it  was  unauthorized  by  the  Word  of  God,  until  he  was 
allowed  an  opportunity  of  hearing  a  Baptist  preach.  A  severe 
and  protracted  contest  was  carried  on  in  his  own  mind  when  he 
had  gained  his  consent  to  give  it  a  thorough  examination.  The 
regard  he  felt  for  the  brethren  of  his  own  persuasion,  and  the 
pride  of  consistency,  prevented  him  for  a  time  from  yielding  to 
the  sway  of  truth.  He  at  length  submitted,  and  was  baptized 
into  Jesus  Christ  and  connected  himself  with  the  Baptist  church. 

A  short  time  after  this  change  of  sentiment  he  entered  upon 
the  work  of  proclaiming  to  others  the  great  salvation.  Having 
removed  to  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  a  wide  and  effectual 
door  was  opened,  and  he  became  a  most  active  and  successful  laborer 
throughout  that  peninsula.  It  was  his  privilege  for  several  years 
to  be  associated  with  that  eminently  devoted  man,  Elijah  Baker. 
Conjointly  they  were  the  instruments  of  originating  the  church 
called  Pungoteage.  Some  time  after  their  constitution  they  gave 
to  Elder  Layfield  an  invitation  to  become  their  pastor,  which  he 
accepted.  This  relation  he  sustained  to  the  close  of  life.  At 
various  periods,  also,  he  statedly  served  the  churches  of  Matomp- 
liin,  Masongo,  and  Chingoteage. 

Ptespecting  his  character  as  a  Christian  and  minister  it  would 
be  difficult  to  exaggerate.  He  was  remarkable  for  consistency  of 
deportment.  With  him  the  discharge  of  duty  was  the  result  of 
principle,  and  it  was  therefore  habitual.  In  his  intercourse  with 
others  he  was  grave  yet  cheerful.  He  was  universally  respected 
as  a  man  of  genuine  piety,  not  being  willing  to  hide  his  light 


JOHN   YOUNG.  179 

under  a  bushel ;  he  was  careful  to  let  it  shine  before  others,  that 
they  might  glorify  his  Father  in  heaven.  The  pastoral  office 
was  filled  by  him  with  much  faithfulness.  His  brethren,  to  whom 
he  dispensed  the  word  and  ordinances,  looked  up  to  him  as  chil- 
dren to  a  father.  He  possessed  to  the  end  of  his  earthly  course 
their  confidence  and  affection;  and  Avas  regarded  by  all  the 
surrounding  churches  as  an  Israelite  indeed  in  whom  was  no 
guile. 

As  a  public  speaker  his  talents  were  above  mediocrity,  though 
his  opportunities  for  early  improvement  were  scanty.  By  personal 
application  he  had  succeeded,  to  some  extent,  in  the  cultivation 
of  his  mind.  He  is  said  to  have  been  studious.  He  did  not  aim, 
in  his  address,  at  greatness,  but  usefulness.  The  truth  was  de- 
clared in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity.  He  universally  directed 
his  remarks  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  his  hearers.  His 
preaching  was  generally  characterized  rather  by  the  exhibition 
of  evangelic,  fundamental  truths,  than  the  more  mysterious  and 
abstract  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  Toward  those  who  did  not 
agree  with  him  in  opinion  he  maintained  a  kind  and  conciliatory 
spirit,  and  seemed  more  anxious  to  win  an  opponent  to  the  con- 
sideration of  truth  than  to  manifest  a  cold  reserve  or  dogmatic 
pertinacity.  From  the  best  information  which  can  be  obtained, 
his  death  occurred  about  the  year  1814.  He  was  four  times 
married.     His  widow  and  several  children  still  survive  him. 


JOHI^  TOIJI^a. 


Although  very  few  particulars  respecting  the  life  and  labors 
of  Elder  John  Young  can  be  obtained,  it  would  not  be  proper 
in  a  work  of  this  kind  wholly  to  overlook  him.  He  deserves  a 
place  among  those  who  have  followed  the  Lamb  whithersoever  he 
went. 

Elder  Young  was  a  native  of  Caroline  County.  He  was  born 
January  11th,  1739.  His  education  was  limited,  having  been  con- 
fined from  childhood  to  the  occupation  of  farming.  About  lYTO 
he  was  introduced  into  the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God,  baptized 


180  JOHN  YOUNG. 

by  Elder  J.  Read,  and  soon  commenced  the  great  work  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel.  He  was  ordained  in  1113,  at  which  time  the  church 
called  Read's,  in  his  native  county,  was  constituted.  The  pas- 
toral care  of  this  church  was  accepted  by  him.  He  continued  to 
preach  in  that  vicinity  twenty-five  years.  The  word  of  salvation 
was  for  the  first  time  carried  by  him  to  several  parts  of  Lower 
Yirginia.  Nor  was  his  ministry  vain.  In  one  year  alone  sixty 
or  seventy  were  added  to  Kead's  Church  through  his  instrumen- 
tality. 

In  1T99  he  removed  to  Amherst,  and  the  following  year  became 
pastor  of  Buffaloe  Church,  now  called  Mount  Moriah.  Here  also 
his  labors  were  owned  with  a  blessing,  and  many  rejoiced  in  the 
God  of  salvation.  Nearly  one  hundred  persons  were  baptized  by 
him  in  1803. 

During  the  early  part  of  his  ministerial  career  he  was  one  of 
those  who  passed  through  great  tribulation  for  Christ's  sake.  He 
was  arrested  in  one  of  his  preaching  excursions  and  committed  to 
prison.  For  the  space  of  six  months  he  remained  in  close  con- 
finement in  Caroline  jail,  until  by  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus  he  was 
taken  to  Williamsburg.  In  other  instances  this  inoffensive,  meek, 
and  pious  man  became  the  subject  of  unholy  opposition,  because 
he  chose  to  obey  God  rather  than  man,  and  to  preach  Christ  and 
him  crucified  to  the  people.  None  of  these  things  deterred  him 
from  the  pursuance  of  this  great  object.  To  the  end  of  life  (which 
was  protracted  to  old  age)  he  continued  a  faithful  servant  of  his 
Master.  He  was  not  only  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  hun- 
dreds of  souls,  but  in  bringing  forward  into  the  ministry  many  of 
the  most  useful  preachers  of  "Virginia,  who  were  baptized  by  him. 

Elder  Young  was  not  remarkable  for  brilliancy  of  talents;  few, 
however,  were  his  superiors  in  good  sense.  His  gifts  were  of  the 
useful  rather  than  the  showy  kind.  When  he  stood  up  to  com- 
mend the  character  and  service  of  his  Master,  his  style  was  plain 
but  pointed,  and  his  manner  unaffectedly  simple.  Many  of  those 
speakers  who  attract  the  wondering  gaze  of  the  multitude,  and 
are  much  applauded  for  their  eloquence,  present  little  that  is  sub- 
stantial in  their  addresses.  They  are  more  distinguished  for  noise 
and  show  than  valuable  heart-stirring  thoughts.  But  the  subject 
of  this  memoir  was  rather  intent  to  convince  his  auditors  of  the 


JOHN  YOUNG.  181 

evil  of  sin  and  persuade  tliem  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  than  to 
display  himself. 

What  gave  great  efficacy  to  his  influence  was  the  blamelessness 
of  his  life.  Holiness  to  the  Lord  might  be  seen  inscribed  on  all 
his  actions.  Not  to  himself  did  he  live,  but  to  Christ.  In  his 
intercourse  with  his  brethren,  and  his  appeals  from  the  pulpit,  he 
uniformly  insisted  on  the  necessity  of  a  holy  character  to  qualify 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  he  was  not  willing  to  recom- 
mend to  others  what  he  practiced  not  himself 

There  was  one  subject  which  occasioned  him  much  solicitude 
and  compelled  him  to  wet  his  pillow  with  many  a  tear ;  none  of 
his  children,  during  his  lifetime,  became  the  followers  of  Christ. 
!N'or  was  he  deficient  in  family  government,  but  sought  to  instruct 
his  children,  and  to  lead  them  in  the  paths  of  righteousness.  The 
following  extract  from  a  discourse  delivered  by  Elder  William 
Duncan,  in  182t,  will  be  deeply  interesting,  referring  as  it  does  to 
the  subject  of  this  sketch : — 

"In  the  early  part  of  my  ministry,"  said  Mr.  Duncan,  "I  tra- 
veled and  preached  much  with  a  venerable  servant  of  God  who 
has  now  entered  into  his  rest.  He  devoted  himself  wholly  to  the 
promotion  of  evangelical  truth,  sustaining  hunger  and  thirst,  cold 
and  heat,  for  the  love  of  souls.  He  once  said  to  me, '  My  brother, 
though  I  love  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  often  feel  its  refreshing 
influence,  yet  one  circumstance  sometimes  creates  doubt  in  my 
mind.  I  have  seven  children  for  whom  I  have  long  been  praying, 
and  yet  not  one  of  them  is  a  Christian.  If  I  were  a  righteous 
man,  surely  my  prayers  would  prevail ;  but  believing  God  can 
answer  the  requests  of  his  people  after  their  death,  I  am  deter- 
mined to  persist  as  long  as  I  live.^  What  think  you  of  my  feel- 
ings to-day,  when,  on  my  arrival,  I  was  informed  that  two  of  this 
very  man's  sons  had  been  lately  baptized,  making,  of  the  seven 
children,  four  who  had  been  added  to  the  church  since  his  death  ? 
And  what,  think  you,  were  the  joys  of  this  redeemed  spirit  con- 
templating such  an  event  ?  Or,  if  this  joy  is  reserved  for  another 
period,  what  will  be  his  emotions  when  he  shall  embrace  them  all, 
in  the  city  of  God,  and  with  them  swell  the  eternal  song  of  praise 
to  his  Redeemer  ? — Wait  on  the  Lord  :  be  of  good  courage,  and 
he  shall  strengthen  thine  heart:  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord." 

VOL.  I  16 


182  JOHN  YOUNG. 

A  short  time  after  this  discourse  was  preached  another  of  his 
sons,  Mr.  "William  Young,  residing  near  Richmond,  was  brought 
to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Second 
Baptist  Church  of  that  city.  Thus  it  may  be  that  he  who  toiled 
and  prayed  and  wept  for  the  salvation  of  his  children,  may  meet 
them  all  in  heaven  as  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord.  What  encourage- 
ment have  parents  to  persevere  in  the  arduous  yet  delightful  work 
of  bringing  up  their  children  in  the  fear  of  God  !  They  shall  reap 
if  they  faint  not.     God  will  honor  them  that  honor  him. 

Mr.  Young  continued  his  pastoral  relation  until  he  was  dis- 
qualified for  its  duties  by  the  infirmities  of  age.  He  then  resigned 
his  charge,  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder  William  Duncan.  Still, 
however,  he  preached  frequently,  as  his  strength  would  allow. 
Though  worn  out  in  the  service  of  his  Redeemer,  he  was  not  v/eary 
of  it.  When  the  period  of  his  death  drew  near  he  maintained 
unshaken  confidence  in  God,  and  rejoiced  with  unutterable  joy. 
The  family  were  called  around  his  bed  and  exhorted  to  prepare 
for  a  better  world.  "Weep  not  for  me,"  said  the  dying  saint,  "I 
shall  soon  be  released  from  this  dull  clog  of  mortality.  Then 
shall  I  be  saved  from  temptation  and  sin.  I  know  in  whom  I 
have  believed ;  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith.  Let  no  pomp  be  connected  with 
my  funeral.  Nor  is  it  necessary  to  wear  the  customary  badges 
of  mourning  on  my  account.  I  shall  soon  receive  the  crown  of 
glory.  Will  you  not  all  prepare  to  meet  God  ?  I  Avish  to  see 
you  in  heaven."  He  requested  that  Elder  John  Courtney,  of 
Richmond,  should  preach  his  funeral  sermon.  At  the  time  he  died 
he  was  perfectly  rational,  and  enjoyed  heaven  in  his  soul.  The 
rapturous  state  of  his  mind  was  indicated  by  his  countenance. 
With  a  smile  of  delight  and  his  eyes  directed  to  heaven  he 
breathed  his  last,  April  16,  1817. 

Thus  was  this  preacher  of  righteousness  allowed  to  reach  his 
seventy-ninth  year.  He  had  been  familiar  with  scenes  of  trial 
and  persecution  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  but  lived  to  see  the 
chains  of  ecclesiastical  oppression  broken  to  pieces,  and  the  cause 
of  truth  triumphant.  And,  in  the  language  of  the  devout  Simeon, 
he  might  say,  "Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation." 


REUBEN  PICKET.  183 


REUBEN    PICKET. 

Reuben  Picket  was  a  native  of  Fauquier.  He  was  born  in 
1752.  In  Ms  seventeenth  year  his  attention  was  directed  to 
eternal  things,  and,  after  suffering  much  inquietude  of  mind,  he 
joyfully  submitted  to  the  righteousness  of  Grod.  A  short  time 
after  his  conversion,  he  was  baptized  by  Samuel  Harriss,  in  the 
County  of  Orange.  His  earliest  efforts  as  a  public  teacher  were 
made  when  he  was  not  more  than  eighteen  years  of  age.  It 
might  justly  be  regretted  that  the  stores  of  knowledge  were  not 
then  within  his  reach,  and  that  his  mind  was  not  placed  under  a 
suitable  training.  Such  advantages,  there  is  reason  to  believe, 
would  have  been  gladly  improved  by  him;  but  at  that  early 
period  the  facilities  for  obtaining  education  were  exceedingly 
limited. 

With  such  opportunities  as  he  did  possess,  he  sought  to  qualify 
himself  for  usefulness.  Such  was  his  desire  to  do  good,  that 
through  many  difficulties  he  urged  his  way  to  testify  to  his  fellow- 
men  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  He  found  an  opportunity 
of  exercising  his  gift  in  exhortation  during  a  visit  to  the  County 
of  Shenandoah.  In  this  county  a  very  considerable  excitement 
prevailed  on  the  subject  of  rehgion,  which  allowed  him  a  wide 
scope  for  public  addresses,  while  the  natural  fervor  of  his  own 
heart  was  called  into  exercise.  Shortly  after  his  visit  to  Shenan- 
doah he  began  to  preach.  An  acquaintance  was  formed  with 
Elder  Koontz,  who  a  short  time  before  had  become  an  efficient 
Baptist  minister.  In  each  other's  company,  they  passed  from 
place  to  place,  declaring  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ ; 
Koontz  preached  in  Dutch,  and  Picket  in  Enghsh;  both  were 
eminently  successful  in  turning  men  to  Cod. 

His  labors,  at  this  early  period,  are  thus  referred  to  by  Elder 
Semple:  "Mr.  Samuel  Harriss  coming  to  preach  in  his  vicinity, 
he  felt  a  great  desire  to  travel  with  him ;  but  knowing  he  was  not 
rich,  and  that  his  embarrassment  would  be  great  unless  he  followed 
some  calling  for  a  livelihood,  he  was  very  unhappy  for  some  time. 
Spreading  his  case,  however,  before  his  Invisible  Instructor,  this 


184  REUBEN  PICKET. 

text  came  forcibly  to  his  mind :  '  Go  ye  and  preach  the  gospel : 
and,  Lo  I  am  with  you  alway.'  He  immediately  forsook  all 
earthly  employment,  and  traveled  with  Elder  Harriss,  expecting 
to  visit  an  Association  in  South  Carolina.  He  was,  however, 
detained  by  severe  illness,  and  left  by  his  brethren  in  a  strange 
part  of  the  world.  His  sufferings,  both  of  mind  and  body,  were 
extremely  severe ;  but  it  was  only  the  refiner's  fire  purging  off  the 
dross,  and  leaving  Mr.  Picket,  like  tried  gold,  to  shine  with  seven- 
fold splendor.  After  his  recovery,  he  felt  the  smiles  of  God  in  a 
more  abundant  manner  than  he  had  ever  done.  He  then  com- 
menced his  ministerial  travels  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia, 
disseminating  evangelical  truth  in  various  directions.  He  was 
still  only  about  twenty  years  of  age.  Young  as  he  was,  his 
talents  were  extensively  useful.  Many  acknowledged  him  as  the 
messenger  of  peace  to  their  souls,  and  several  churches  were  con- 
stituted through  his  instrumentality." 

In  11  "72  he  was  ordained.  He  had  been  the  means  of  originat- 
ing a  church  called  Keedy  Bottom,  which  was  afterwards  merged 
in  Mayo,  in  Halifax  County,  to  whose  oversight  he  was  called  at 
his  ordination.  He  continued  their  pastor  as  long  as  he  lived, 
and  in  this  relation  was  characterized  by  his  activity  and  faithful- 
ness. He  was,  however,  not  confined  in  his  efforts  to  this  congre- 
gation. Other  churches  were  frequently  visited,  especially  in 
seasons  of  difficulty  and  trial.  He  possessed  a  peculiar  talent 
for  binding  together  the  hearts  of  his  brethren,  and  preserving 
peace  in  the  church.  Among  the  Baptists  he  was  universally 
beloved.  No  man  in  the  Boanoke  Association  possessed  such 
influence,  and  no  one  deserved  it  more.  For  many  years  in  suc- 
cession he  occupied  the  chair  at  their  annual  meetings,  and  always 
presided  with  dignity  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  As  an  indi- 
cation of  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held,  the  following  minute 
from  the  record  of  the  Boanoke  Association  is  inserted.  This  was 
the  session  of  1822,  the  last  he  ever  attended:  "Brother  Beuben 
Picket  being  present,  (but  from  severe  bodily  affliction  not  being 
able  to  attend  to  the  business  of  the  Association,)  in  considera- 
tion of  his  great  services,  and  the  sincere  love  the  brethren  of  this 
Association  have  for  him,  he  is  invited  to  a  seat  among  us  as  an 
honorary  member." 


LEWIS  CONNEB.  185 

As  has  been  already  meutioned,  his  piety  and  affectionate  man- 
ners constituted  the  secret  of  his  influence  among  the  churches. 
His  talents  were  not  of  the  highest  order,  but  they  were  of  the 
useful  kind.  He  addressed  the  heart,  and  sought  to  reach  the 
conscience  of  the  hearer.  Vv^hile  he  was  not  accustomed  to 
astonish  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  thoughts,  he  rarely  failed  to 
produce  a  very  deep  and  solemn  effect.  His  appearance  and 
manners  were  highly  impressive.  Such  are  the  men  who  are 
needed,  in  this  guilty  and  miserable  world,  to  be,  in  the  most  em- 
phatic sense,  the  "messengers  of  peace." 

Elder  Picket  was  sometimes  subject  to  great  depression  of  mind, 
arising  from  derangement  of  the  nervous  system.  A  correspond- 
ent, in  reference  to  this  subject,  states :  "  In  his  old  age  he  had 
his  shoulder  broken  by  being  overturned  in  a  gig.  From  this 
accident  he  suffered  very  much,  and,  being  confined  at  home  for  a 
long  time,  was  greatly  depressed.  Some  endeavored  to  jest  him 
out  of  this  state ;  but  he  grew  worse.  Being  visited  by  a  minister, 
he  told  him  all  his  sorrows.  He,  entering  into  Picket's  feelings, 
reproved  those  who  had  ridiculed  him,  told  them  that  he  was 
really  afflicted,  and  then,  addressing  himself  to  Picket,  expressed 
great  commiseration  for  his  condition,  told  him  Grod  alone  could 
help  him,  and  proposed  that  they  should  unite  in  prayer.  During 
this  exercise  his  soul  was  lifted  up,  his  gloomy  feelings  left  him, 
and  he  was  filled  with  joy,  which  continued  till  death,  which  took 
place  October  19th,  1823.  'Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the 
Lord.'"  The  memory  of  this  man  of  Grod  is  embalmed  in  the 
hearts  of  hundreds  of  the  lovers  of  truth. 


LEWIS   CONNER. 

Elder  Lewis  Conner  was  born  JSTovember,  1145,  in  Culpepper, 
then  Orange  County,  of  respectable  parentage.  His  father,  John 
Conner,  was  a  man  of  the  most  amiable  character,  esteemed  by 
all  who  knew  him  for  his  upright  conduct,  gentleness  of  manners, 
and  social  virtues.     He,  it  is  believed,  never  made  a  public  pro- 

16* 


186  LEWIS   CONNER. 

fession  of  religion;  though  some  others  of  his  family,  besides 
Lewis,  were  Baptists.  His  circumstances  in  life  were  moderate, 
perhaps  below  mediocrity,  and  he  had  a  numerous  family  of  chil- 
dren. He  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  his  Avife,  the  mother  of 
Lewis,  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Charles  Kavenaugh,  who  emi- 
grated from  Ireland  to  Yirginia  when  very  young,  and  by  in- 
dustry and  enterpi'ise  provided  well  for  his  offspring. 

As  there  were  in  those  days  but  few  facilities  for  cultivating  the 
youthful  mind,  Lewis  received  very  little  education.  JSTaturally 
possessed  of  a  strong  and  discriminating  mind,  if  he  had  enjoyed 
the  advantage  of  literary  cultivation,  he  would,  no  doubt,  have 
ranked  high  in  the  world  of  letters.  Indeed,  without  the  aid  of 
literature,  he  arose  to  a  highly  respectable  standing,  and  was 
justly  considered  one  of  the  ablest  divines  in  the  upper  part  of 
Yirginia.  He  commenced  the  world  pennyless.  Having  a  me- 
chanical genius,  he  worked  as  a  carpenter  with  an  older  brother, 
and  also  for  a  time  with  a  wagon-maker.  When  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  commenced  on  his  own  account,  and  was  em- 
ployed in  both  trades  by  a  gentleman  in  the  neighborhood  in 
which  Blue  Kun  Church  was  afterwards  constituted.  In  this 
situation  he  continued  for  some  time,  receiving  the  most  affection- 
ate attentions  of  his  employer  and  his  lady,  jjersons  of  distinction 
in  their  neighborhood.  Here  those  qualities  of  the  head  and 
heart  which  distinguished  him  through  life  more  fully  developed 
themselves,  and  he  became  a  general  favorite  among  his  acquaint- 
ances. When  the  term  of  his  engagement  with  this  gentleman 
expired,  he  returned  to  the  neighborhood  of  his  father,  and  soon 
after  married  Mrs.  Davis,  the  widow  of  Benjamin  Davis.  This 
occurred  in  1168. 

About  this  time  a  merciful  Grod  was  pleased  to  extend  the 
ministerial  labors  of  Elder  David  Thomas  to  this  county.  And 
here,  history  informs  us,  he  and  Samuel  Harriss  were  instru- 
mental in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  very  many  precious 
souls.  Among  the  converts  was  Elder  Conner.  Although  be- 
fore this  he  had  lived  without  reproach,  even  more  than  most  of 
his  age,  yet,  when  by  the  light  of  Divine  grace  he  saw  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin,  and  then  the  adaptedness  of  the  Saviour 
in  his  different  offices  to  the  wants  of  sinners,  he  was  induced  to 


LEWIS  CONNER.  187 

give  up  all  for  Christ's  sake,  and  acknowledge  Him  as  his  only 
hope  of  salvation.  He  made  a  public  profession  of  the  religion 
of  Jesus,  and  was  baptized,  with  many  others,  by  Elder  Thomas, 
in  the  Rapid  Ann  Iliver.  Mrs.  Conner,  his  consort,  it  is  thought, 
■was  baptized  about  this  time,  but  whether  on  the  same  day  is  not 
known. 

Elder  Conner  at  this  time  resided  near  the  Kaccoon  Ford  on 
the  Orange  side,  and,  soon  after  his  baptism,  began  to  exercise 
his  gift  publicly  in  singing,  prayer,  and  exhortation.  In  these 
exercises  he  was  associated  with  other  young  converts,  particu- 
larly Lewis  Craig. 

They  had  no  meeting-house,  but  held  their  meetings  from  house 
to  house  in  the  neighborhood.  The  spirit  of  the  Lord,  however, 
being  strong  in  their  hearts,  their  minds  were  soon  drawn  to  the  pro- 
priety of  building  a  house  of  v/orship.  Accordingly,  Elder  Conner 
and  Lewis  or  Elijah  Craig  undertook  and  built  a  meeting-house 
of  tolerable  dimensions  on  the  land  of  Uriel  Mallory,  on  Mountain 
River,  Orange  County.  Such  was  their  zeal  that,  others  perhaps 
finding  nails,  they  erected  and  completed  the  building  for  the 
small  sum  of  five  pounds.  Here  a  church  was  constituted,  but 
the  writer  of  this  does  not  know  who  was  the  pastor,  but  sup- 
poses it  was  Lewis  Craig.  This  church  maintained  her  visibility 
till  about  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  the  effects  of 
which,  and  removals,  caused  its  extinction. 

Among  those  that  removed  was  Elder  Conner,  who  settled  on 
Cedar  Run,  in  Culpepper,  and  shortly  after  on  Robinson  River, 
now  Madison  County.  Soon  after  his  removal  to  Madison  he 
was  called  to  perform  a  tour  of  militia  duty,  and  his  zeal  for  the 
cause  of  American  independence  impelled  him  on  to  North  Caro- 
lina, where  he  served  a  long  time  under  General  G-reen  as  com- 
mander-in-chief Shortly  after  his  return  from  the  southern  tour 
he  was  again  called  into  militai'y  service,  and  was  in  the  siege 
which  ended  with  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  at  York.  It  is 
not  our  intention  to  speak  particularly  of  his  military  career,  but 
enough  is  known  on  that  subject  to  show,  that  whatever  he 
thought  it  is  duty  to  undertake,  was  to  be  done.  Peace  being 
restored  to  his  happy  country.  Elder  Conner  returned  home  to 
provide  for  the  wants  of  his  family.     If  he  had  not  taken  mem- 


188  LEWIS  CONNER. 

bership  at  Crooked  Run,  during  his  residence  on  Cedar  Run,  be 
probably  did  so  soon  after  his  removal  to  Robinson  River. 

During  the  great  revival  of  religion  in  1788,  Elder  Conner  was 
greatly  aroused,  and  a  new  impulse  was  given  to  the  exercise  of 
his  gifts  in  preaching,  which  had  not  been  so  frequent  after  the 
dissolution  of  the  church  on  Mountain  Run. 

He  not  only  attended  with  Elder  I.  Garnett  at  Crooked  Run, 
but  traveled  with  Elder  William  Mason  to  Robinson  Church  (un- 
der Mason's  pastoral  care)  and  other  places,  at  which  he  preached. 
In  these  tours  an  attachment  was  formed  between  these  two  old 
servants  that  was  never  lost. 

About  the  year  1790,  Elder  Conner  again  removed,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  he  had  purchased,  near  where  the  village  of  Woodville 
now  stands.  Elder  William  Mason  being  then  the  pastor  of  Rag- 
ged Mountain  Church,  now  F  T.  Elder  Conner  frequently  at- 
tended with  him  at  that  place.  After  a  short  time.  Elder  Mason 
being  called  to  the  care  of  Gourdvine  Church,  then  newly  consti- 
tuted, prevailed  on  Conner  to  take  his  place  as  pastor  of  F  T. 
The  church  unanimously  chose  him  to  that  of&ce,  and  he  was  or- 
dained for  the  purpose,  and  entered  upon  its  duties  in  the  year 
1793,  preaching  statedly  twice  a  month.  This  church  was  greatly 
blessed  under  his  ministry,  and  has  always  been  respectable  for 
its  intelligence,  its  numbers,  and  the  piety  and  fellowship  of  its 
members. 

Some  twelve  or  fifteen  years  after  this  period  the  church  at 
Thornton's  Gap  invited  him  to  become  their  spiritual  shepherd, 
which  he  finally  agreed  to  do,  the  church  at  F  T  reluctantly  agree- 
ing to  give  up  one  of  its  meetings  in  each  month,  that  their 
brethren  of  Thornton's  Gap  might  be  accommodated.  Soon  after 
this  he  was  called  to  the  care  of  Battle  Run  Church,  so  that  now 
he  had  the  pastoral  superintendence  of  three  churches ;  and,  be- 
sides, he  preached  statedly  for  some  time  at  Salem  Meeting-house, 
where  a  church  was  constituted  a  year  or  two  after  his  death, 
under  the  care  of  Elder  C.  C.  Conner,  his  grandson,  now  re- 
moved to  Tennessee.  Thus  was  his  time  fully  occupied,  and,  it 
may  be  said  with  truth,  profitably  employed.  If  it  can  be  said 
of  any  man  ever  known,  that  every  one  in  his  churches  and  con- 
gregations loved  and  venerated  him,  it  is  true  of  Elder  Conner. 


LEWIS  CONNER.  189 

His  opinion  was  always  acknowledged  as  conclusive  on  any  sub- 
ject of  difference  among  his  brethren  ;  and  such  was  the  respect 
in  which  his  judgment  and  integrity  were  held  by  all  in  his  neigh- 
borhood, that  disputes  on  other  subjects  were  frequently  left  to 
him,  both  parties  choosing  him,  and  agreeing  to  be  satisfied  with 
his  decision. 

In  June,  1815,  his  earthly  companion  was  removed  from  him, 
in  her  seventy-ninth  year,  after  a  tedious  and  painful  illness.  It 
is  confidently  hoped,  by  her  surviving  relations  and  friends,  that 
she  was  prepared  to  enter  into  that  rest  which  remains  for  the 
people  of  God.  Some  time  in  the  ensuing  year,  all  his  children 
having  left  him  to  make  settlements  of  their  own,  Elder  Conner 
married  the  widow  Farrow,  and  removed  to  her  residence  near 
Battle  Kun  Meeting-house,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till  his 
death.  This  lady  had  been  a  member  of  Battle  Run  Church  for 
many  years,  and  was  to  him  an  affectionate  wife. 

Several  years  before  his  death,  becoming  more  infirm  and  re- 
siding more  than  twenty  miles  from  F  T  Church,  at  his  request, 
Elder  William  F.  Broaddus  was  associated  with  him  in  the  pas- 
toral office  of  that  church,  and,  after  a  year  or  two,  growing  more 
infirm  still,  he  prevailed  on  the  church  entirely  to  release  him. 
IS'ot  long  after  he  resigned,  also,  and  for  the  same  reason,  the  care 
of  Thornton's  Gap,  retaining  only  Battle  Run,  which  was  very 
near  him. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  but  the  nominal  pastor  of 
Battle  Run,  the  church  having,  at  his  request,  a  short  time  before, 
associated  with  him  Elder  Thomas  Buck,  Jr.,  as  assistant.  Here 
he  preached  his  last  sermon ;  and  some  who  heard  it  considered 
it  inferior  to  none  they  had  ever  heard  from  him.  He  lived  but 
a  few  weeks  after,  retaining  his  consciousness  to  the  very  last 
hour,  and  assuring  those  around  him  that  he  was  about  to  take 
possession  of  the  inheritance  he  had  so  long  sought.  His  death 
occurred  June,  1832,  in  the  eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

Elder  Conner's  preaching  talents  were  of  no  ordinary  grade. 
He*was  not  inclined  to  meddle  with  abstruse  subjects,  particularly 
in  the  pulpit.  Redemption  was  the  theme  on  which  he  delighted 
most  of  all  to  dwell.  The,  sufficiency  of  the  work  of  Christ  to 
save  all  that  believe  on  him  was  the  grand  topic  of  his  pulpit  ex- 


190  LEWIS  CONNER. 

hibition§ ;  and  so  filled  was  he  with  this  subject  that  he  rarely 
failed  to  become  very  eloquent  while  recommending  Christ  to  his 
dying  fellow-men.  His  language  was  strong,  and,  notwithstand- 
ing his  deficiency  in  point  of  education,  remarkably  correct ;  his 
voice  unusually  musical,  especially  when  animated  by  his  own  in- 
terest in  the  subject  discussed ;  and,  although  it  is  probable  he 
scarcely  ever  paid  the  slightest  attention  to  any  written  laws  in 
his  gesticulation,  yet  his  whole  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  highly 
graceful  and  commanding.  He  never  preached  long  sermons, 
being  satisfied,  as  he  used  to  say,  "to  reap  the  ivheat,  without 
stopping  to  reap  the  stubble  also."  He  rarely  exceeded  forty-five 
minutes,  during  which  time  he  would  say  more  than  many  would 
say  in  two  hours. 

Elder  Conner  might  be  considered  a  modern  Calvinist.  The 
writer  of  this  article  has  heard  him  preach  a  great  number  of 
sermons  without  ever  hearing  him  introduce  any  one  of  the  "Jive 
points'^  for  special  discussion.  It  would  be  difficult  to  say  whe- 
ther or  not  he  was  a  doctrinal  preacher.  If  he  introduced  the 
doctrine  of  "  election''^  it  was  with  a  view  to  exhort  the  brethren 
to  "give  all  diligence  to  make  their  calling  and  election  sure." 
If  he  spoke  of  "  total  depravity,''^  it  was  to  urge  men  to  go  to 
Christ  for  cleansing.  If  he  alluded  to  the  "  final  perseverance 
of  the  saints,"  it  was  with  a  view  to  exhort  the  disciples  to  perse- 
vere. He  used  frequently  to  remai'k,  "  the  best  proof  of  the 
perseverance  of  the  saints  is,  that  they  do  persevere."  In  short, 
whatever  doctrine  he  introduced  was  presented  in  a  manner  so 
decidedly  practical  that  no  sinner  could  ever  leave  the  sound  of 
his  voice  without  feeling  that  his  duty  had  been  affectionately 
urged  upon  him.  Next  to  the  Bible,  he  preferred  the  writings  of 
President  Edwards ;  and  with  such  light  as  Edwards  supplied 
him  he  was  in  no  danger  of  Antinomian  abstractions. 

Elder  Conner  never  entered  into  the  spirit  of  modern  missionary 
efforts.  Indeed,  his  influence  was  exerted  against  the  mission 
cause  ;  and,  being  very  considerable  in  the  Shiloh  Association,  it 
no  doubt  proved  a  powerful  means  of  preventing  that  body  from 
enlisting  in  the  missionary  cause.  This  opposition  may  very 
readily  be  accounted  for,  without  supposing  that  he  entertained 
sentiments  unfriendly  to  the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  heathen  lands- 


LEWIS  CONNER.  191 

The  truth  is,  he  was  not  informed  on  this  subject.  He  was  an 
aged  man  when  the  mission  influence  commenced  in  this  country. 
He  was  alarmed  by  the  novelty  of  the  scheme,  and  his  fears  of 
innovation  upon  long  established  Baptist  customs  deterred  him 
from  examining  the  subject.  It  is  confidently  believed  by  many 
who  knew  him  well,  that  if  he  had  witnessed  the  success  that  has 
attended  the  labors  of  our  missionaries  among  the  heathen,  he 
would  have  entered  heartily  into  the  measure.  Elder  Luther 
Kice,  who  spent  many  a  night  under  his  hospitable  roof,  used  to 
say,  "  Father  Conner's  heart  is  in  favor  of  missions,  though  he 
does  not  see  into  our  present  operations."  It  was  apparent  to 
his  intimate  friends  that  toward  the  close  of  his  life  he  was  more 
inclined  to  favor  this  cause  than  he  had  been ;  and  the  idea  is 
here  repeated,  that  if  he  had  seen  what  many  others  have  seen  of 
the  success  of  this  heaven-inspired  enterprise,  he  would  have  ad- 
vocated it  with  all  his  heart.  Shortly  before  his  death  an  exten- 
sive revival  took  place  in  Culpepper  County ;  and  while  some 
who  now  wish  to  identify  themselves  with  him  were  crying  out 
"wildfire!"  "enthusiasm!"  etc.  etc.,  he  was  rejoicing  with  the- 
angels  over  repenting  sinners.  "  Oh !"  said  he,  to  a  young  minis- 
ter who  had  been  telling  him  of  the  displays  of  Grod's  grace 
recently  witnessed  in  a  revival,  "how  glad  I  should  be  to  unite  in 
such  scenes ;  but  my  day  has  gone  by.  Go  on,  my  brother,  and 
the  Lord  make  you  instrumental  of  turning  many  to  righteous- 
ness." These  remarks  are  made  in  order  to  disabuse  the  public 
mind  of  an  impression  sought  to  be  made  by  some  who  are  now 
opposing  everything  like  efforts  for  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and 
pleading  all  the  time  the  example  of  Elder  Conner. 

In  civil  affairs.  Elder  Conner  acted  a  v'ery  conspicuous  part. 
He  had  given  close  attention  to  the  progress  of  those  political 
events  which  resulted  in  the  present  happy  form  of  government, 
under  which  the  people  of  the  United  States  have  become  the 
admiration  of  the  whole  earth.  His  political  opinions  were 
eagerly  sought  after,  and  listened  to  with  profound  attention  by 
the  youth  who  were  growing  up  around  him,  while  aspirants. to 
office  in  the  county  in  which  he  resided  never  failed  to  feel  them- 
selves much  surer  of  success,  if  they  found  the  weight  of  his  name 
and  opinions  in  their  scale.     Perhaps  it  may  be  set  down  as  a 


192  LEAVIS  CONNER. 

misfortune,  so  far  as  his  ministerial  usefulness  was  concerned,  that 
so  much  of  his  attention  was  given  to  politics.  He  lived,  how- 
ever, at  a  day  when  the  number  of  men  capable  of  exerting  an 
active  influence  in  political  affairs,  was  comparatively  small ;  and 
those  who  knew  him  will  remember,  that  with  all  his  political 
knowledge  and  zeal  there  was  a  native  dignity  about  him  which 
could  never  stoop  to  do  the  work  of  a  mere  partisan  politician. 

For  many  years  he  filled,  with  credit  to  himself  and  advantage 
to  the  community,  the  office  of  magistrate,  and  was  rewarded  for 
his  services  by  being  appointed  to  the  sheriffalty.  The  duties 
pertaining  to  these  stations  he  discharged  in  a  manner  highly 
creditable  both  to  his  talents  and  his  integrity.  Indeed,  he  filled 
all  the  stations  he  sustained  with  so  great  satisfaction  to  all  in- 
terested, that  if  an  attempt  were  made  to  fix  a  single  stain  upon 
his  character  it  could  not  succeed.  All  who  knew  him  will  sus- 
tain this  declaration,  and  it  is  a  declaration  which,  alas  !  can  be 
made  to  few  whose  lives  have  filled  so  many  years. 

Eider  Conner  was  once  urging  in  the  pulpit  the  necessity  of 
Divine  influence,  in  order  to  rectify  the  human  will.  After  the 
sermon,  an  individual  came  to  him  in  a  great  passion,  and  alleged 
that  he  had  preached  false  doctrine  :  "for,"  said  he,  "the  human 
will  needs  no  rectifying." 

"Will  you  allow  me,"  inquired  Mr.  Conner,  "to  ask  you  two 
Ciuestions  ?" 

"  Certainly,  sir." 

"Well,  sir,  in  the  first  place,  do  you  believe  that  it  is  the  duty 
of  every  man  to  submit  at  once  to  God,  and  to  take  up  the  cross 
and  follow  Jesus  Christ  V 

"Yes,  sir,  most  assuredly;  and  if  a  man  does  not  thus  act,  he 
alone  is  to  blame." 

"  One  more  question :  have  you  submitted  to  God,  and  taken 
up  the  cross,  to  follow  Christ  ?" 

"J^o,  sir,  I  cannot  say  I  have." 

"It  would  seem  then,"  replied  Mr.  Conner,  with  a  pleasant 
smile,  "that  your  will  at  least  needs  rectifying." 

J^'ot  many  years  before  his  death  an  attempt  was  made  to  raise 
a  fund  for  the  purpose  of  compensating  ministers  sent  by  the 
Shiloh  Association  as  corresponding  messengers  to  other  Associa- 


LEWIS  CONNER.  193 

tions.  Elder  Conner  warmly  supported  this  measure,  upon  the 
ground  that  the  "laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire."  Many,  how- 
ever, feared  that  it  was  an  entering  wedge  for  increasing  the 
salaries  of  ministers,  and  warmly  opposed  it  as  a  money-loving 
scheme,  originating,  as  some  remarked  in  the  Association,  in  the 
disposition  of  the  horse-leech,  which  is  always  crying,  "  give ! 
give !"  The  proposition  was  voted  down ;  whereupon  Elder 
Conner  remarked,  "You  have  gained  the  victory,  brethren,  but  a 
few  such  victories  will  disgrace  your  body." 

The  writer  of  this  article  has  often  heard  Elder  Conner  deplore 
the  backwardness  of  the  churches  in  supporting  the  ministry. 
He  did  not  speak  this  because  he  was  himself  in  want ;  for  God 
had  favored  him  with  abundance  of  earthly  substance.  But  he 
thought  it  a  great  reproach  to  the  church,  that  a  minister  should 
be  suffered  to  labor  without  adequate  compensation.  Once  he 
was  heard  to  say,  when  speaking  on  this  subject,  "  How  honest 
men,  and  especially  Christian  men,  can  get  over  paying  just  debts, 
I  leave  for  wiser  heads  to  find  out." 

It  has  been  thought  by  some  that  his  talent  was  not  so  great  in 
gathering  converts  as  in  building  up  and  comforting  believers, 
in  which  certainly  he  was  conspicuous.  In  times  of  revival,  he 
was  always  zealous ;  and  his  sermons  abounded  with  exhortations 
to  sinners.  In  prayer  he  was  often  sublime,  his  mind  seeming 
gently  to  rise  from  sublunary  things  to  the  very  portals  of 
heaven ;  his  voice  assuming  a  soft  melody  that  was  highly  im- 
pressive.   In  singing  his  voice  was  remarkably  soft  and  melodious. 

In  church  government  perhaps  he  had  few  superiors,  never 
favoring  one  party,  but  always  endeavoring  to  promote  harmony, 
which  he  eminently  enforced  by  his  own  example.  In  his  churches 
his  pastoral  duties  were  performed  with  fidelity  to  the  Master,  • 
though  with  tenderness  to  his  brethren.  There  was  a  conciseness 
in  what  he  said,  on  occasions  of  misconduct  in  members,  that  was 
pecularly  efficient  and  productive  of  good.  One  instance  the 
writer  will  mention  which  he  saw  and  heard  himself,  perhaps 
twenty  years  ago.  A  brother,  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  was 
called  before  the  church  to  answer  the  charge  of  excessive  drink- 
ing. He  had  more  than  once  before  been  arraigned  for  the  same 
offence,  and  his  brethren  had  borne  with  and  excused  him.    Upon 

VOL.   I. — N  IT 


194  LEWIS    CONNER. 

his  contrition  and  acknowledgment  they  were  again  willing  to  pass 
it  over,  but  requested  that  the  Moderator  should  admonish  hira. 
He  addressed  him  as  follows  :  "  Brother,  you  have  reason  greatly 
to  love  and  respect  your  brethren,  for  their  forbearance  toward 
you.  They  might  well  have  cut  you  off  from  them,  and  you 
could  not  have  thought  hard  of  them."  The  old  member  ob- 
served, "  I  feel  it,  and  I  promise  you.  Brother  Conner,  to  try  not 
to  drink  too  much  any  more."  "  Don't  promise  me,  brother,"  said 
Conner,  "promise  the  Lord  you  will  never  drink  another  drop; 
for  so  sure  as  you  drink  a  drop  of  spirits  you  will  be  a  drunkard." 
This  was  said  in  his  own  peculiar  manner,  and  it  is  believed  was 
completely  effectual  in  reclaiming  the  old  brother,  as  it  is  not 
known  that  he  drank  again. 

Elder  Conner  was  a  constant  attendant  of  the  Shiloh  Associa- 
tion, and  always  conspicuous  in  its  business.  For  something  like 
twenty  years  he  acted  as  Moderator  with  no  little  distinction. 

Elder  Conner  was  in  his  person  tall,  full-chested,  stooping 
"mewhat  in  his  shoulders,  which,  with  the  arms,  were  uncommonly 
■>>s^jcular ;  body  short  relatively,  high  forehead,  dark  and  thick-set 
Vj,ir,tliin  visage,  rather  prominent  cheek-bones,  blue  and  rather 
.kiall  eyes-,, beaming  with  the  mildest  lustre  beneath  their  high- 
arched  brows;  ^Such  was  the  exterior  man.  In  his  rational 
faculties  he  was  highly  gifted.  Endowed  by  nature  with  a  strong 
mind  and  quick  discrimin9,ting  judgment,  lively  imagination,  re- 
tentive memory,  mild  and  even-tempered  in  disposition,  all  re- 
gulated by  the  influence  of  Divine  grace,  as  manifested  in  his  love 
to  God  and  his  fellow-men.  The  poor,  the  widow,  and  the 
orphan,  found  in  him  a  friend  so  far  as  his  means  or  personal 
services  would  go.  The  children  of  his  first  wife  by  her  former 
marriage  (especially  the  younger,  whom  he  raised,)  always  vene- 
rated him  as  a  father.  The  young  persons  of  his  acquaintance  as 
well  as  the  old  eagerly  sought  his  company,  delighted  with  his 
chaste  and  interesting  conversation.  The  writer  of  this  poor 
tribute  to  his  memory  can  truly  say,  that  he  never  was  in  his 
company  an  hour  at  a  time  without  being  edified ;  and  if  the  sub- 
ject was  religious,  as  it  was  apt  to  be,  without  having  his  strength 
and  hopes  increased. 


JOHN   SORREL.  195 


JOHN^    SORREL. 


John  Sorrel  was  among  the  diligent  and  faithful  laborers  in 
the  gospel  vineyard,  during  that  period  of  our  denominational 
history  when  bonds  and  afflictions  awaited  them.  His  parents 
were  respectable,  bringing  up  their  children  in  habits  of  industry 
and  frugality.  He  was  born  about  the  year  1754,  in  the  County 
of  Essex.  His  only  surviving  son  supposes  that  he  and  his  wife 
were  baptized  by  Lewis  Craig,  at  an  early  period  of  the  revolu- 
tionary struggle,  and  that  soon  thereafter  he  entered  the  Chris- 
tian ministry.  His  early  labors  were  in  connection  with  Tuckahoe 
Church,  in  the  county  of  his  birth.  This  church,  in  1819,  re- 
ceived a  new  name,  and  is  now  known  as  "Upper  Zion.  Here 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  where  he  was  best  known,  seems  to 
have  been  most  abundantly  successful.  During  the  great  revival 
of  1788,  he  was,  in  company  with  Elder  John  Shackelford,  en- 
gaged in  unremitted  efforts  by  night  and  day,  and  was  much 
favored  in  leading  his  fellow-men  to  know  Christ  and  his  salva- 
tion. Upon  the  removal  of  Shackelford  to  Kentucky,  in  1792,  he 
was  called  upon  to  succeed  him  in  the  full  duties  of  the  pastorate, 
and  here  prosecuted  his  work  with  unwearied  diligence  until  the 
infirmities  of  age  compelled  him  to  lay  down  the  implements  of 
labor.  In  connection  with  this  church,  many,  we  have  reason  to 
believe,  will  in  the  great  day  of  decision  recognize  him  as  their 
spiritual  father  and  guide. 

In  Salem  Church  also,  he  much  and  faithfully  toiled.  This  is 
one  of  the  best  churches  of  the  Dover  Association.  Upon  the 
spot  where  its  house  of  worship  now  stands,  where  spreading 
oaks  afforded  the  needful  shade,  seats  were  provided,  and  for 
several  successive  summers  the  indefatigable  Noel  was  accustomed 
to  address  immense  throngs  of  people,  and  was  in  those  early 
labors  essentially  aided  by  John  Sorrel.  Here,  at  length,  in 
1802,  Salem  Church  was  constituted.  Several  years  after  Elder 
Soirel  was  invited  to  become  its  pastor,  and  continued  in  this  re- 
lation for  a  series  of  years. 


196  JOHN   SORREL. 

In  1811  a  remarkable  revival  of  religion  occurred,  in  which  the 
churches  of  Tuckahoe  and  Salem  largely  shared.  The  minutes 
of  the  Dover  Association  for  1813,  state  that  "Elder  Sorrel, 
under  whose  ministry,  accompanied  by  others,  this  work  pro- 
gressed, says  there  were  above  seventy  or  eighty  added  to 
Salem.  The  revival  at  Tuckahoe  opened  a  short  time  after  it  ap- 
peared in  Salem.  God  sent  the  fire,  and  he  sent  his  faithful  ser- 
vant, the  pastor  of  the  church.  Elder  Sorrel,  to  blow  the  coals. 
Although  more  than  sixty  years  of  age,  he  was  not  slack  to  do 
his  Master's  work.  God  owned  his  labor  and  bade  him  preach  on. 
More  than  one  hundred  were  added  to  the  church.  From  this 
and  Salem  the  work  spread  to  Bethel  and  Liberty,  which  are 
churches  belonging  to  Goshen  Association." 

Besides  the  above,  the  subject  of  this  notice  preached  for  years 
at  Diamond  Meeting  house  in  Essex  County.  This  stood  about 
one  mile  north  of  Mount  Zion,  in  that  county.  The  house  has 
been  removed  and  is  seen  no  more.  ISTot  so  with  the  effects  of  his 
ministry.  In  all  that  region  the  fruit  of  his  labors  appears.  He 
also  preached  at  a  meeting-house  called  Haynes,  in  Caroline 
County.  At  Liberty  also,  and  Reeds,  he  performed  much  minis- 
terial labor. 

On  the  spot  now  occupied  by  Enon,  he  was  for  some  time  ac- 
customed to  preach  under  an  arbor  prepared  for  the  purpose, 
after  which  the  people  built  a  house,  which  he,  on  account  of  its 
proximity  to  a  suitable  place  for  baptizing,  called  Enon.  He  con- 
tinued to  labor  there  until  his  death.  There  too  he  labored  not 
in  vain.  In  connection  with  those  toils,  he  was  permitted  to  bap- 
tize Dr.  Alexander  Somervail  and  John  Micon,  who  became  emi- 
nently useful  preachers,  with  many  others. 

Mr.  Sorrel  seems  also  to  have  been  the  pioneer  laborer  in  the 
building  up  of  Providence  Church,  near  Bowling  Green^  Caroline 
County.  Here,  also,  he  first  preached  under  an  arbor,  and  in 
view  of  the  favoring  circumstances,  all  of  which  were  recognized 
as  of  God,  he  called  the  house  Providence,  as  soon  as  it  was 
completed.  He  continued  laboring  here  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death. 

Besides  these  regular  ministrations  he  frequently  took  long  tours 


.     JOHN   SORREL.  19f 

with  his  brethren  in  the  region  south  of  James  River,  preaching, 
as  he  delighted  to  do,  the  gospel  in  which  he  trusted. 

Thus  lived  and  labored  this  servant  •  of  the  Redeemer,  His 
toils  and  sacrifices  were  abundant.  But  little  compensation  was 
received  for  his  services.  Yet  he  worked  on.  The  age  in  which 
he  lived  was  unfavorable  to  proper  views  of  ministerial  support. 
In  his  own  domestic  affairs  he  was  judicious,  laboring  with  his 
own  hands,  and  requiring  all  the  members  of  his  family  to  perform 
a  share  of  needful  toil  to  secure  a  maintenance.  Often  would  he 
continue  at  his  work  on  the  farm  until  the  time  to  leave  for  his 
appointment  on  Saturday  morning,  and  return  on  Sunday  night. 
He  was  called  upon  to  baptize  numerous  persons  in  all  the 
circumjacent  country,  and  never  suffered  inclement  weather  to  in- 
terfere with  an  engagement.  Though  the  advantages  of  early 
education  were  denied  him,  he  yet,  by  constant  daily  reading  of 
the  Scriptures,  prepared  himself  for  his  work.  That  work  was 
diligently  performed. 

The  death  of  our  aged  brother  occurred  November  12th,  1814. 
For  some  time  before  this  event  he  was  afflicted  with  cancer  im- 
mediately under  his  eye ;  it  became  much  inflamed  by  irritation, 
and  caused  him  painful  suffering.  This  prolonged  disease  he  bore 
with  becoming  patience.  His  Heavenly  Father's  hand  was  seen 
in  the  trial.  He  would  often  repeat  the  beautiful  hymn  of  Dr. 
Watts— 

"Not  from  the  ground  afflictions  grow, 
Nor  troubles  rise  by  chance." 

His  heart  was  specially  cheered  by  the  sentiment  of  the  lines — • 

"Yet  with  my  God  I  leave  my  cause, 
And  trust  his  promised  grace  ; 
He  rules  me  by  his  well-known  laws 
Of  loYe  and  righteousness." 

He  passed  away  in  the  fullness  of  the  gospel,  and  now,  wo 
doubt  not,  inherits  the  kingdom  prepared  for  him  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world. 

He  was  permitted  to  see  his  family  of  seven  children  reach 
mature  years.     His  wife  survived  him  several  years,  she  having 

It* 


198  WILLIAM   MASON. 

died  April  23d,  1830.  Their  remains  lie  interred  together  in  the 
grave-yard  of  the  Broaddus  family,  not  far  from  Salem  Meeting- 
house. Having  been  intimate  with  this  family  in  life,  he  specially 
desired  to  slumber  with  them  in  the  grave. 


WILLIAM    MASOK 

Elder  William  Mason  was  born  in  Stafford  County.  At  au 
early  period  he  was  baptized,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Church 
at  Chappawamsick.  Soon  after  the  revolutionary  war  he  mar- 
ried and  settled  in  Culpepper  County,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  Mount  Pony  Church,  of  which  he  continued  a  member  until 
his  death. 

It  is  not  known  in  what  year  he  entered  the  ministry.  It  is 
said  his  commencement  was  unusually  unpromising :  so  much  so, 
that  many  of  his  most  intimate  friends  attempted  to  dissuade  him 
from  it ;  and  even  the  church  of  which  he  was  a  member  was  re- 
luctant to  encourage  him.  But,  animated  by  the  love  of  perishing 
souls,  he  persevered  until  he  was  one  of  the  most  popular  minis- 
ters in  all  the  region  of  his  labors. 

In  1^88  he  became  pastor  of  Mount  Pony  Church,  soon  after 
which  a  revival  of  religion  took  place,  in  the  progress  of  which 
two  hundred  were  baptized.  During  the  same  year  he  succeeded 
Elder  George  Eve  in  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  at  F  T. 
Here  also  the  Lord  abundantly  blessed  his  labors,  and  very  many 
were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Old  brethren,  in  de- 
scribing the  progress  of  this  revival,  have  often  been  heard  to 
say,  "  The  heavens  seemed  to  rain  righteousness."  This  revival 
is  well  known  among  the  brethren  of  Culpepper  and  Fauquier 
Counties  as  the  great  revival  of  '98.  Such  a  season  had  not  been 
experienced  among  the  churches  in  all  this  region  until  1832-33, 
when  the  Lord  poured  out  his  spirit  most  wonderfully,  and 
hundreds,  including  many  of  the  descendants  of  those  v/hom 
Elder  Mason  had  baptized,  were  added  to  the  church.  The 
writer  of  this  had  never  heard  much  of  the  revival  of  1198  until, 


"WILLIAM    MASON.  199 

during  the  revival  just  mentioned,  a  brother  of  Culpepper  County 
gave  him  a  glowing  description  of  the  former,  and  represented 
the  two  revivals  as  being  characterized  by  very  similar  influences 
and  circumstances. 

In  1'790,  the  church  at  F  T  had  become  very  large;  and  as 
many  of  the  members  lived  at  a  remote  distance  from  their  house 
of  worship,  a  new  church  was  constituted  in  Madison  County, 
called  Robinson  River,  composed  chiefly  of  members  dismissed 
for  that  purpose  from  P  T.  Of  this  church  Elder  Mason  was 
chosen  pastor,  and  continued  with  considerable  usefulness  until 
compelled  by  his  infirmities  to  resign,  which  he  did  in  1822. 

In  n91,  G-ourdvine  Church  was  constituted  in  Culpepper 
County,  chiefly  of  members  dismissed  from  Mount  Pony.  Of  this 
church  also  Elder  Mason  was  chosen  pastor,  and  continued  with 
great  harmony  and  with  extensive  usefulness  until  1822. 

In  1803,  the  church  at  Mount  Pony  experienced  another 
precious  visitation  from  the  Lord,  and  great  numbers  were  added. 
The  influence  of  this  revival  extended  to  a  neighborhood  ten 
miles  distant,  where  many  were  baptized  and  constituted  into  a 
church  called  Bethel.  In  order  to  serve  this  church  as  pastor. 
Elder  Mason  was  induced  to  resign  his  charge  at  P  T  to  Elder 
Lewis  Conner.  He  continued  pastor  of  Bethel  with  great  success, 
until,  prevented  by  old  age  and  infirmity  from  preaching  any 
longer,  he  resigned  in  1822. 

About  the  year  1193  or  1194  the  churches  under  his  care  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  about  two  hundred  acres,  on  which  he  resided 
until  his  death.  His  whole  attention  being  given  to  the  ministry, 
he  accumulated  but  little  property,  and  indeed  found  it  difficult 
sometimes  to  live  comfortably.  Perhaps  his  churches  supposed 
that  by  placing  him  on  a  farm  they  would  enable  him  to  support 
his  family  without  much  further  aid  from  them ;  whereas,  unless 
he  had  possessed  the  means  of  cultivating  his  farm,  it  was  wortli 
but  little  more  to  him  than  a  house  and  garden.  If  churches 
intend  to  subtract  any  part  of  the  price  of  land  given  their 
minister  from  his  yearly  support,  the  gift  had  better  be  withheld. 
They  may  deprive  him  of  a  support  by  seeming  to  do  him  a 
kindness. 

No  pastor  was  ever  more  popular  witli  his  ch'irches,  and  with 


200  WILLIAM  MASON. 

the  community  generally,  than  Elder  Mason.  As  a  proof  of  this 
it  may  be  mentioned  that  he  filled  the  pastoral  office  at  Mount 
Pony  thirty-five  years ;  at  Robinson  River  thirty-three  years ; 
at  Gourdvine  thirty-two  years ;  at  Bethel  twenty  years ;  at  P  T 
fifteen  years,  continuing  with  the  first  four  from  their  constitution 
until  his  death ;  and  only  resigning  the  last  by  mutual  consent, 
when  the  good  of  the  general  cause  rendered  it  expedient  that 
he  should  accept  the  charge  of  Bethel.  Indeed,  his  preaching 
talents  were  such  as  to  command  the  respect  of  the  most  intelli- 
gent of  the  community,  many  of  whom  sat  with  delight,  and 
listened  to  the  blessed  invitations  of  the  gospel  as  they  fell  from 
his  lips,  and  gave  proof  that  their  hearts  were  touched  by  obeying 
the  commandments  and  walking  in  the  truth.  At  a  very  early 
period  he  gave  himself  to  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  with 
Poole's  annotations  :  and  for  his  acquaintance  with  the  Bible,  as 
well  as  for  his  general  correctness  as  an  expositor,  he  might  be 
classed  with  the  first  preachers  of  his  age.  Moreover,  he  was 
distinguished  for  urbanity,  whether  in  the  pulpit  or  in  private 
circles,  so  that  his  preaching  and  his  company  were  highly  appre- 
ciated by  all  who  knew  him :  his  ardent  and  uniform  piety  mean- 
while endearing  him  still  the  more  to  those  who  love  the  image 
of  Jesus. 

It  is  deemed  proper  to  allude  here  to  an  instance  of  weakness 
which  occurred  toward  the  close  of  Elder  Mason's  life.  It  is  no 
part  of  the  writer's  intention  to  conceal  facts  which  may  be  useful 
as  a  warning  to  others.  After  having  spent  the  prime  of  his  life 
in  active  labors  for  the  cause  of  God,  without  a  shade  ever  passing 
over  his  character,  he  unfortunately,  on  one  or  two  occasions  in 
his  old  age,  became  intoxicated  by  the  use  of  wine.  He  had  for 
many  years  been  very  infirm,  and  had  now  become  exceedingly 
weak,  so  that  a  very  small  quantity  affected  him,  and  he  not  being 
aware  of  the  extent  of  his  weakness,  once  or  twice  drank  more 
than  his  constitution  would  bear.  His  acknowledgments  on  the 
subject,  however,  were  such  as  to  satisfy  his  brethren  and  the 
community  around  him,  whose  fellowship  and  confidence  he  con- 
tinued to  enjoy  until  his  death.  How  important  that  ministers 
should  practice  total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  drinks,  lest 


BENJAMIN   BURGHER.  201 

through  old  age  or  infirmity  they  should  one  day  be  overcome, 
and  bring  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  Christ ! 

Elder  Mason  was  in  his  doctrine  moderately  Calvinistic.  In- 
deed, some  of  his  more  orthodox  brethren  used  laughingly  to 
charge  him  with  "wearing  too  large  a  cloak."  But  he  had  the 
good  fortune  to  live  at  a  day  when  among  Baptists  a  difference 
of  opinion  upon  abstract  propositions  did  not  interrupt  Christian 
communion.  He  was  greatly  instrumental  in  breaking  down  the 
wall  of  partition  which  had  so  long  divided  Virginia  Baptists  into 
"Regulars"  and  "  Separates."  Would  to  God  there  were  those 
among  us  now  whom  He  would  honor  as  instruments  of  accom- 
plishing the  same  good  end.  For  since  the  fathers  Fristoe, 
Conner,  Mason,  and  others,  have  gone  to  their  reward,  certain 
foreigners  have  come  among  us,  and  have  built  up  this  odious 
wall  again.  He  was  a  warm  advocate  of  the  missionary  cause 
from  the  time  it  began  to  be  discussed  in  Virginia  until  his  death ; 
often  meeting  with  Brother  Bice  and  encouraging  him  to  go  on 
vrith  his  work. 


BENJAMIN    BURGHER.     ' 

Among  the  oldest  and  most  useful  ministers  of  the  Albemarle 
Association  may  be  named  Elder  Benjamin  Burgher.  The  ad- 
vantages of  a  scholastic. education  were  not  enjoyed  by  him,  as  his 
early  life  was  almost  wholly  employed  in  manual  labor.  By  trade 
he  was  a  blacksmith,  at  which  he  continued  until  his  entrance  into 
the  ministry. 

At  what  time  precisely  he  became  a  professor  of  religion  is  not 
known.  His  serious  impressions  commenced  in  early  life,  and  he 
was  brought,  after  much  painful  solicitude,  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  This  was  at  a  period  when  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Baptists  had  not  been  extensively  felt  in  his  native 
county,  and  hearing  of  an  Association  to  be  held  at  Grassy  Creek 
Meeting-house,  North  Carolina,  he  determined  to  attend,  though 
it  was  nearly  two  hundred  miles  from  his  residence.  In  examining 
the  Scriptures  he  saw  the  obligation  of  believers'  baptism,  and  felt 


202  BENJAMIN   BURGHER. 

desirous  to  be  more  intimately  acquainted  with  those  who,  as  a 
denomination,  practiced  it.  Having  ascertained  more  particularly 
their  doctrinal  sentiments,  church  government,  etc.,  and  believing 
them  to  be  in  accordance  with  the  word  of  God,  he  conferred  not 
with  flesh  and  blood,  but  "put  on  Christ"  in  baptism. 

When  about  thirty  years  of  age,  he  commenced  the  ministry. 
His  soul  burned  with  holy  ardor  to  tell  his  fell6w-men  the  tidings 
of  a  Saviour's  love.  He  did  not  long  continue  at  his  trade,  but 
devoted  most  of  his  time  to  the  labors  of  the  ministry.  The  Lord 
wrought  by  him  in  the  subversion  of  the  powers  of  darkness  and 
the  conversion  of  sinners.  Several  churches,  either  wholly  or  in 
part,  through  his  instrumentality,  were  gathered  together.  Among 
the  rest,  the  church  called  Mount  Ed  may  be  particularly  mentioned. 
It  is  located  in  Albemarle  County,  and  was  formerly  known  by 
the  name  of  Whitesides.  The  name  was  changed  in  1806,  when 
a  new  brick  place  of  worship  was  erected.  To  this  church  he 
himself  belonged,  and  in  the  pastoral  relation  for  a  series  of  years 
he  faithfully  served  them. 

As  a  preacher,  Elder  Burgher  occupied  an  eminent  position. 
In  his  comments  on  the  word  of  God  he  was  thought  to  be  clear 
and  judicious.  He  usually  inclined  to  dwell  on  the  more  doc- 
trinal portions  of  Divine  truth;  and  there  was  sometimes  indulged 
a  degree  of  severity  in  defending  what  are  called  Calvinistic 
sentiments.  This,  in  a  slight  degree,  was  the  result  of  a  natural 
bluntness  of  manner  for  which  he  was  distinguished.  Sometimes 
he  would  fail  in  his  pulpit  efforts  altogether,  while  at  other  times 
he  was  exceedingly  happy,  and  would  come  from  the  pulpit  with 
tears  flowing  down  his  cheeks,  and  shaking  hands  with  all  the 
congregation. 

In  referring  to  the  soundness  of  his  views  it  should  be  stated 
that  he  was  a  very  studious  man.  According  to  the  apostolic 
injunction,  he  gave  himself  to  reading  useful  books,  but  especially 
the  word  of  God.  Being  quite  independent  in  his  circumstances, 
and  having  no  children,  the  larger  portion  of  his  time  was  occu- 
pied in  this  way.  His  taste  for  composition  was  remarkable  for 
one  whose  mind  in  early  life  had  been  so  much  neglected.  Nearly 
all  the  circular  letters  of  the  Albemarle  Association,  for  a  series 
of  years,  were  prepared  by  him.    Several  poetic  effusions  from  his 


BENJAMIN   BURGHER.  203 

pen,  it  is  said,  discovered  some  merit;  none  of  them,  however, 
have  been  seen  by  the  author  of  this  sketch. 

Although  he  was  highly  Calvinistic  in  his  sentiments,  the 
extremes  of  Antinomianism  were  never  indulged.  It  is  a  mortify- 
ing fact  that,  in  some  instances,  the  truth  has  been  held  in 
unrighteousness  by  those  who  profess  entire  dependence  on  the 
grace  of  God  for  salvation.  They  have  practically  said,  let  us 
sin,  that  grace  may  abound.  But  the  true  Christian  will  forever 
repudiate  such  a  conclusion.  While  he  may  contemplate  himself 
as  "chosen  in  Christ  from  before  the  foundation  of  the  world," 
he  will  rejoice  in  the  assurance  that  it  was  designed  he  "should 
be  holy  and  without  blame  before  him  in  love."  In  addressing 
his  brethren  on  this  subject,  Elder  Burgher  thus  remarks  :  "We 
beg  leave  to  recommend  the  reading  of  the  Epistle  of  James, 
which  seems  to  be  intended  to  excite  practical  piety  among 
believers,  that  they  might  thereby  prove  their  faith  to  be  sincere. 
True  believers  are  called  to  holiness,  glory,  and  virtue.  Faith 
purifies  the  heart,  and  works  by  love ;  nor  can  it  ever  be  said  in 
truth  that  Christ  is  the  minister  of  sin  ;  although  he  pardons 
sinners,  heals  the  backslidings  of  saints,  and  preserves  his  people 
from  the  damnation  of  hell,  yet  it  is  in  a  way  of  righteousness 
and  true  holiness,  so  as  to  manifest  his  glorious  perfections,  and 
the  riches  of  Divine  grace  in  their  eternal  salvation." 

It  would  not  be  proper  to  omit  the  fact  that  this  estimable  man 
was  a  warm  and  decided  friend  of  missions.  Although  he  was 
advanced  in  years  when  the  efforts  to  send  the  gospel  to  pagan 
lands  was  commenced  in  this  country,  he  gave  it  his  cordial 
support.  Aged  men  are  pi'one  to  look  with  suspicion  on  all  new 
enterprises,  being  unwilling  to  leave  the  beaten  track  which  has 
been  pursued  by  them  from  earliest  youth.  This  accounts  for  the 
fact,  that  some  excellent  brethren  have  not  entered  with  zeal  into 
the  various  plans  of  Christian  benevolence  which  characterize 
the  present  day.  Such  brethren  ought  not  to  be  treated  with 
unkindness,  much  less  ridiculed  and  contemned.  If  they  are  not 
to  be  convinced  of  the  expediency  of  these  measures,  they  should 
still  be  regarded  as  the  children  of  God,  their  deportment  being 
in  other  respects  consistent.  As  already  remarked,  Elder  Burgher 
did  not  yield  to  the  prejudice  that  the  mission  cause  was  not 


204  BENJAMIN   BURGHER. 

tenable,  because  in  Virginia  no  eifort  was  made  until  1814.  In 
1816,  he  thus  pleads  with  his  brethren:  "Brother  Judson  and 
his  wife  are  now  at  Rangoon,  in  the  Burman  Empire,  learning  the 
language,  to  enable  him  to  preach  to  them.  Another  brother 
and  his  wife,  with  a  Miss  White,  have  gone  to  the  same  place 
with  the  intention  to  help  on  the  glorious  cause.  Brother  Luther 
Kice,  who  has  formerly  been  in  that  country,  and  who  has  been 
preaching  and  traveling  through  the  United  States  for  some  time 
past,  intends,  we  understand,  to  return  there  again. 

"And  now,  dear  brethren,  what  remains  but  to  impress  your 
minds  with  the  duty  you  owe  to  God  and  your  fellow-creatures, 
that  you  may  be  induced  to  lend  a  helping  hand  and  cast  your 
mite  into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord  to  support  such  a  glorious 
cause.  Remember,  that  in  time  past  ye  walked  according  to  the 
course  of  this  world,  fulfilling  the  desires  of  the  flesh  and  of  the 
mind,  and  were  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  even  as  others. 
But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out 
of  darkness,  and  hath  shincd  in  our  hearts  to  give  the  light  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 
And  how  did  our  hearts  burn  with  love  and  gratitude  to  Him 
who  is  able  and  mighty  to  save  !  And  shall  not  the  heathen  world, 
when  they  are  favored  with  the  glorious  gospel  and  the  graces  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  show  forth  the  praises  of  Him  who  hath  called 
them  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvelous  light  ? 

"While  we  are  praying  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion  and  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  let  our  practice  correspond  there- 
with and  prove  our  petitions  to  be  sincere,  by  lending  a  benevolent 
hand  to  its  support.  If  it  be  inquired  what  has  God  done,  we 
reply  he  has  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad ;  and 
he  will  do  greater  things  than  these,  that  ye  may  marvel.  Millions 
that  are  yet  unborn  shall,  in  their  time,  hear  the  gospel  of  Christ 
and  believe  in  his  name  to  life  everlasting,  for  the  prophecy  is 
gone  before,  saying,  '  he  shall  see  his  seed,  the  travail  of  his  soul, 
and  be  satisfied,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in  his 
hands.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  in  the  place  where  it  was 
said  to  them  ye  are  not  of  my  people,  there  shall  they  be  called 
the  children  of  the  living  God.'  " 

In  regard  to  the  personal  character  of  our  venerated  brother,  it 


UANE   CHASTAIN.  205 

may  be  stated  that  he  was  held  in  high  estimation  by  all  classes. 
In  his  familiar  association  with  men  he  was  cheerful,  and  some- 
times, especially  with  the  young,  he  would  indulge  in  what  might 
be  considered  an  unjustifiable  levity. 

Elder  Burgher  lived  to  be  very  aged,  and  to  the  close  of  his  life 
continued  to  adorn  the  doctrines  of  God  his  Saviour.  For  some 
time  before  his  death  he  expressed  a  wish  to  be  suddenly  removed. 
In  this  wish  he  was  gratified.  The  Lord's  day  before  his  death 
he  preached  in  usual  health.  He  expected  to  speak  on  the  follow- 
Sunday,  but  on  Saturday,  after  having  been  very  cheerful  through 
the  day,  just  before  night  he  walked  into  the  garden,  and  return- 
ing, said  to  his  wife,  "I  am  dying."  She  proposed  to  send  for 
some  Christian  brother,  but  he  opposed  it,  intimating  that  before 
the  breaking  of  day  the  conquest  would  be  over.  And  so  it  was. 
That  night  he  breathed  his  last;  so  softly,  so  sweetly,  that  those 
who  were  with  him  scarcely  knew  the  precise  moment. 

He  died  November  12th,  1822,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his 
age.  His  funeral  ^ermon  was  preached  by  Elder  William  Duncan, 
from  the  words  of  Simeon :  "  Lord  I  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant 
depart  in  peace  according  to  thy  word,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy 
salvation." 


RAISTE    CHASTAIK 

The  parents  of  Elder  Chastain  were  of  French  extraction, 
but  settled  in  Powhatan  County,  where  he  was  born,  June  28th, 
1141.  When  quite  young  he  removed  to  Buckingham,  in  which 
county  he  remained  the  remnant  of  his  days.  Though  his  educa- 
tion was  much  neglected,  his  morals  were  of  the  most  unimpeach- 
able character.  In  his  nineteenth  year  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Ann  Ford,  and  soon  after,  under  the  preaching  of  Elder  C.  Clark, 
was  awakened  to  the  exercise  of  pungent  conviction  for  sin. 
Such  was  the  sense  of  his  lost  condition  that  he  could  not  refrain 
from  exhorting  sinners  to  repent,  although  he  was  himself  with- 
out evidence  of  Divine  acceptance.    "I  knew,"  said  he,  "I  should 

VOL.  T  18 


206  HANE  CEASTAIN. 

be  lost,  and  they,  too,  if  God  did  not  have  mercy  on  us,  and 
therefore  was  compelled  to  tell  my  neighbors  of  their  danger ;  for 
if  I  was  lost,  I  did  not  wish  them  to  be  lost  with  me." 

At  length  he  rejoiced  in  Christ ;  and  August,  1770,  was  baptized. 
Immediately,  he  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  began  to 
preach  Christ  to  the  people.  In  April,  1112,  Buckingham  Church 
was  constituted,  at  which  time  he  was  ordained.  He  was  at  once 
chosen  their  pastor,  and  continued  in  this  office  as  long  as  he 
lived,  a  period  of  fifty-three  years. 

From  his  first  entrance  into  the  ministry  he  manifested  a  zeal 
becoming  this  high  vocation.  At  different  times  he  supplied 
regularly  Cumberland,  Providence,  and  Mulberry  Grove  Churches, 
etc.  The  toils  and  responsibilities  of  the  ministry  were  his  chief 
glory.  To  be  useful  was  his  chief  concern,  and  the  Lord  gave 
him  the  desire  of  his  heart  in  becoming  the  means  of  conversion 
to  hundreds  of  souls.  In  his  history  was  evinced  how  much  under 
the  Divine  blessing  may  be  done  by  a  man  of  comparatively  feeble 
talents,  who  gives  himself  to  the  work.  Many  pious  men,  much 
his  superiors  in  intellectual  endowments,  would  have  failed  to  fill 
as  he  did  the  pastoral  office.  An  affectionate  spirit,  united  with 
persevering  patience,  are  absolutely  essential  to  success,  if  a  spi- 
ritual shepherd  would  feed  and  preserve  from  wandering  the  flock 
of  Christ.  These  qualities  were  possessed  in  no  small  degree  by 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  'Not  as  lording  it  over  the  heritage  of 
God  did  he  serve,  but  with  winning  softness  of  manner  he  went  in 
and  out  among  the  people  of  his  charge.  By  his  churches  he  was 
tenderly  loved.  They  knew  how  to  appreciate  his  labors,  though 
it  is  much  to  be  regretted  they  failed  to  supply  such  a  support  for 
his  family  as  would  enable  him  to  devote  more  time  and  labor  to 
their  spiritual  good.  This  was  to  some  extent  the  result  of  igno- 
rance, as  they  had  not  been  taught  their  duty  with  regard  to  the 
support  of  him  who  labored  for  them  in  spiritual  things.  Their 
pastor  in  this  particular  was  doubtless  defective.  It  is  an  un- 
scriptural  delicacy  a  minister  indulges,  when  he  omits  to  present 
clearly  and  faithfully  the  obligation  of  a  church  to  furnish  him  a 
competent  support.  Elder  Chastain  would  sometimes  say,  if  the 
Lord  will  keep  me  humble,  the  churches  will  keep  me  poor.    And 


EANE  CHASTAIN.  20T 

SO  it  was,  for  he  would  often  during  the  week  be  compelled  to 
plough  until  the  hour  for  public  worship,  and  again  returned  to 
the  field.  He  could  truly  say  his  own  hands  administered  to  his 
necessities. 

Notwithstanding  extreme  old  age  and  some  decay  of  the  mental 
powers,  he  retained  his  accustomed  clearness  of  thought  and 
honest  zeal  when  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel.  At  length, 
after  an  illness  of  five  weeks,  which  he  bore  with  Christian 
patience,  he  calmly  resigned  himself  to  death,  in  the  eighty-third 
year  of  his  age,  having  worn  himself  out  in  the  service  of  his  Lord 
and  Master.  When  lingering  on  the  confines  of  life  he  was  asked, 
by  one  of  the  members  of  his  church,  if  he  wished  to  recover,  he 
replied,  "If  my  Master  has  anything  more  for  me  to  do  I  am 
willing  to  stay,  but  if  not  I  have  no  desire  to  recover;  but,"  said 
he,  "  I  do  not  think  I  have  any  will  of  my  own ;  the  will  of  the 
Lord  is  my  will."  He  retained  his  senses  to  the  close  of  life,  and 
the  last  words  he  was  heard  to  utter  were,  "I  have  made  full 
proof  of  my  ministry." 

The  following  anecdote  is  related  of  him  :  during  the  imprison- 
ment of  several  ministers  in  Chesterfield,  he  was  requested  to  go 
down  and  baptize  the  converts,  who  from  the  prison  had  heard 
the  word  of  life.  He  went,  and  on  his  arrival  was  ordered,  on 
pain  of  imprisonment,  to  leave  the  county.  Having  refused,  he 
gave  notice  he  should  preach  at  an  arbor  in  that  neighborhood. 
On  the  day  appointed  he  attended,  and  having  risen,  a  man  with 
a  bottle  of  rum  appeared,  and  commanded  him  to  come  down  and 
take  a  dram,  or  he  would  horsewhip  him.  Mr.  C.  replied,  I  do 
not  wish  to  drink,  and  as  I  am  not  generally  tedious  you  shall 
not  be  long  detained.  His  gentleness  of  manner  subdued  the  lion 
spirit  before  him,  and  he  proceeded  with  great  pungency  to  preach 
the  truth.  He  afterwards  said,  I  felt  perfectly  willing  to  receive 
stripes  for  His  sake,  who  was  so  willingly  stricken  for  me. 


208  ELEAZER  CLAY. 


ELEAZEE,   CLAY. 


Born  May  2d,  1Y44.  He  was  in  early  life  the  subject  of  serious 
impressions,  having  heard  the  word  preached  by  Baptist  ministers 
in  Halifax  County.  For  several  years,  however,  he  remained  des- 
titute of  hope  in  Christ.  In  his  own  county  he  was  entirely  with- 
out the  range  of  religious  instruction,  as  the  gospel  in  its  purity 
was  at  that  time  but  seldom  heard.  In  the  latter  part  of  1110 
Elders  William  Webber  and  Joseph  Anthony,  having  been  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  publishing  salvation  on  the  north  side  of 
James  River,  were  invited  to  visit  and  preach  in  Chesterfield. 
At  this  time  there  was  not  a  Baptist  in  the  county.  The  Lord 
was  with  them,  and  many  were  brought  to  rejoice  in  his  salvation. 
They  met  with  the  most  violent  opposition,  and  the  magistrates 
themselves,  becoming  much  enraged,  issued  warrants  for  their 
apprehension.  They  were  thrown  into  prison  and  there  remained 
for  three  months.  "But  the  word  of  the  Lord  grew  and  multi- 
plied." One  of  the  subjects  of  this  good  work,  an  intimate  friend 
of  Elder  Clay,  became  deeply  concerned  on  his  behalf,  and  having 
called  to  see  him,  was  made  the  instrument  of  again  awakening  his 
mind  to  consider  the  value  of  eternal  things.  He  soon  saw  and  felt 
his  need  of  Christ ;  and  found  peace  in  believing.  Although  perse- 
cution was  raging,  he  at  once  acknowledged  his  new  Master  in 
the  ordinance  of  baptism.  This  took  place  in  August,  1111.  His 
sincerity  and  firmness  were  indicated  by  the  fact,  that  while  he  was 
at  that  time  in  prosperous  worldly  circumstances  and  possessing 
much  influence  in  society,  and  while  the  Baptists  were  held  in 
almost  universal  contempt,  he  nevertheless  determined  to  identify 
himself  with  them. 

He  immediately  commenced  the  ministry,  and  in  1115  was  or- 
dained and  took  charge  of  Chesterfield  Church,  which  had  been 
constituted  a  year  or  two  previous.  He  entered  with  boldness 
upon  the  work  of  preaching  Christ  and  him  crucified.  Although 
others  were  thrown  into  prison  and  in  various  ways  most  shame- 
fully abused,  he  did  not  suffer  by  the  hands  of  violence.     He  was 


ELEAZER  CLAY.  209 

a  man  of  dauntless  spirit,  and  the  opposers  feared  to  maltreat 
him.  The  following  is  a  letter  addressed  to  Elder  John  Williams, 
urging  him  to  visit  and  assist  them  in  preaching  throughout  the 
County  of  Chesterfield.  At  this  time  several  were  confined  in 
the  jail,  and  he  being  in  comfortable  circumstances,  assisted  much 
in  supplying  their  wants. 

Chesterfield,  July  21,  1773. 
Dear  Brother  Williams  : 

I  have  long  looked  for  you  to  come  down  to  see  us  and  the 
prisoners.  We  would  be  glad  to  see  you  soon,  for  we  wish  you 
to  baptize  those  that  are  now  waiting  for  an  opportunity.  The 
Lord  is  carrying  on  a  glorious  work  in  our  county,  especially 
below  the  Court-house.  Let  Brother  Watkin  know  that  the  Lord 
has  not  passed  by  Mrs.  F. ,  but,  as  some  believe,  has  placed  her 
name  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life.  The  preaching  at  the  prison  is 
not  attended  in  vain,  for  we  hope  that  several  are  savingly  con- 
verted, while  others  are  under  great  distress,  and  are  made  to  cry 
out,  "  what  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?"  Time  fails  me  this  oppor- 
tunity to  tell  all.  The  brethren  daily  look  for  you  to  come  down ; 
they  talk  much  about  you.  Remember  me  to  all  the  Christian 
brethren.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 
Amen.  Yours,  in  Christ, 

ELEAZER  CLAY. 

Elder  Clay  did  not  travel  extensively  beyond  the  limits  of  his 
own  county.  There,  however,  he  labored  faithfully.  Eor  several 
years  before  his  death  he  became  so  infirm  as  to  be  unable  to 
attend  his  regular  appointments,  or  even  to  leave  the  house. 
During  this  long  confinement  he  evinced  strong  trust  in  God  and 
attachment  tO'  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  Whenever  he  was 
visited  by  his  friends,  and  especially  by  young  ministers,  he  never 
failed  to  impart  some  wholesome  counsel,  the  result  of  his  own 
long  experience.  To  a  young  ministering  brother,  who  was  in- 
troduced to  him,  before  he  was  seated,  and  while  holding  his 
hand,  he  said,  in  substance,  "  I  am  glad  to  become  acquainted 
with  you,  and  especially  to  know  you  have  entered  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord,  and  design  to  labor  for  him  in  the  great  work  of  the 
ministry.     Let  me  now  advise  you  never  to  use  ardent  spirits.     I 

VOL.  L — o  18* 


210  ELEAZEH  CLAY. 

have  seen  its  baneful  effects  in  the  church,  and  among  preachers 
of  the  gospel,  and  would  warn  every  young  minister  against  it." 

Although  at  the  age  of  sixty  he  could  with  difficulty  see  to 
read  even  with  spectacles,  yet  for  several  years  before  his  death 
his  eyesight  was  entirely  restored.  He  became  more  and  more 
attached  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  besides  reading  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament, he  made  it  a  regular  practice  to  read  the  jSTew  Testament 
through  once  every  month.  As  he  advanced  to  the  termination  of  his 
course  he  manifested  an  increasing  spirituality  of  mind.  In  prayer 
he  enjoyed  much.  The  writer  will  never  forget  an  interview  which 
he  was  privileged  to  have  with  this  aged  saint,  a  few  months  pre- 
vious to  his  death.  There  was  a  remarkable  vividness  about  his 
conceptions  ;  and  his  memory  in  reference  to  the  history  of  the 
church  in  the  days  of  his  youth  seemed  to  be  unimpaired.  He 
entered  with  great  spirit  in  conversation  on  the  value  of  the  great 
atoning  sacrifice,  and  the  necessity  of  Divine  influence  to  bring 
the  heart  to  rejoice  in  it.  In  alluding  to  his  experience  in  spi- 
ritual matters  he  manifested  deep  feeling.  He  said,  with  tears  roll- 
ing down  his  furrowed  cheeks,  that  he  had  never  known  so  much 
of  the  sweetness  and  richness  of  the  "Word  of  Grod  as  since  his  con- 
finement to  the  house;  that  he  had  enjoyed  secret  prayer  more 
than  ever.  During  his  conversation  he  remarked:  "If  Christians 
did  but  know  how  to  prize  communion  with  G-od,they  would  more 
habitually  enjoy  it ;  and  that  he  had  felt  more  real  happiness  during 
one  hour  spent  in  meditation  and  prayer,  than  the  world  knew  in 
a  lifetime  spent  in  the  pleasures  of  sin." 

The  author  of  this  sketch  again  called  to  see  him,  hoping  to 
enjoy  the  delightful  opportunity  of  listening  to  his  instructive 
conversation.  But  he  had  been  the  previous  evening  attacked 
by  severe  illness,  and  was  unable  to  speak.  Within  a  few  days 
he  breathed  his  last.  He  died  May  2d,  1838,  in  his  ninety- 
second  year. 

Elder  Clay  possessed  naturally  a  strong  mind.  In  his  manners 
he  was  inclined  to  bluntness,  but  in  all  his  intercourse  with  men, 
it  is  said,  he  made  it  his  great  business  to  recommend  the  subject 
of  religion.  He  possessed  considerable  influence  among  the 
churches  in  Chesterfield  County,  and  for  many  years  occupied  the 
Moderator's  chair  in  the  Middle  District  Association. 


GEORGE   S.  SMITH.  211 

We  will  close  this  brief  sketch  by  presenting  a  letter  written  by 
Mr.  Clay  to  Rev.  Isaac  Backus,  with  whom  he  frequently  corre- 
sponded. Mr.  Backus,  in  referring  to  it,  speaks  of  him  as  a 
wealthy  and  most  agreeable  Christian.  The  letter  is  dated 
March  29,  1^99:— 

•■'Aged  and  Reverend  Brother: 

*  *  *  "  In  the  church  where  I  serve  we  have  a  great  calm. 
Are  not  such  times  more  to  be  desired  than  when  the  billows  are 
breaking  over  our  heads?  Or,  has  not  God  set  one  over  against 
the  other,  that  we  may  learn  to  fear  him  who  worketh  all  things 
after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will  ?  In  some  portions  of  our  dis- 
trict God  has  granted  precious  revivals,  to  wit,  iu  the  churches 
of  Brother  Sanders  and  Brother  Elowers.  Other  ingatherings 
are  small ;  iniquity  abounds,  deism  prevails,  and  the  spirit  of  the 
world  comes  in  like  a  flood  on  every  side. 

"God  has  at  last  touched  the  hearts  of  our  rulers,  and  they 
have  listened  to  our  memorial,  doing  away  all  we  asked  for; 
so  that  all  the  clouds  which  threatened  religious  liberty  with  us 
are  blown  over.  The  Lord  grant  that  neither  we  nor  our  poste- 
rity may  forget  his  favors,  bestowed  so  freely  on  us.  Prom  your 
history,  you  were  not  then  free  from  the  hand  of  power.  May 
God  grant  your  request,  after  all  your  toils,  and  an  abundant  en- 
trance into  his  heavenly  kingdom,  is  the  prayer  of  your  unworthy 
friend  and  Christ's  servant  in  the  gospel  I' 


GEORGE    S.   SMITH. 

Among  Yirginia  Baptist  ministers  of  the  eighteenth  century 
is  found  the  name  of  Elder  George  S.  Smith.  He  was  a 
native  of  Powhatan  County.  He  was  accustomed  from  child- 
hood to  mingle  with  the  best  society,  and  inclined  to  be  gay  and 
thoughtless.  His  first  serious  impressions  were  produced  by 
hearing  a  Baptist  minister  preach,  being  led  to  the  meeting  by 
mere  curiosity;  but  the  Lord  overruled  the  circumstance,  and 


212  GEORGE  S.  SMITH. 

made  it  the  means  of  deep  solicitude  of  mind.  The  minister 
passed  on  his  way.  Mr.  Smith  began  to  visit  the  social  meetings 
of  the  few  Baptists  which  were  held  in  his  vicinity.  His  sedate 
demeanor,  and  the  spiritual  interest  shown  by  him  in  religious 
subjects,  connected  with  the  fact  that  he  was  an  excellent  reader, 
induced  them  to  impose  upon  him  the  duty  of  reading  for  them. 
Thus,  for  some  time,  he  was  the  leader  of  their  worship :  reading 
the  Scriptures,  while  they  sang  the  praises  of  the  Lord  9,nd 
offered  up,  one  by  one,  the  fervent,  effectual  prayer  for  the  Divine 
blessing.  May  we  not  believe  that  earnest  supplications  were 
offered  for  the  young  man,  who  had  thus  been  providentially 
drawn  into  their  assembly  ?  God  heard  their  prayer.  Mr.  Smith 
found  his  convictions  deepened.  He  began  to  perceive  the  spiritu- 
ality of  God's  law,  and  his  own  condemnation  and  ruin.  Soon 
he  was  led  to  know  Christ,  in  the  exercise  of  a  joyful  faith.  His 
countenance  now  bright,  and  his  step  buoyant,  he  comes  with  his 
new-born  hope  into  the  presence  of  the  disciples  as  he  had  never 
before  met  them.  Now  he  reads  the  Scriptures  with  new  eyes, 
and  in  tones  never  before  uttered  by  him.  He  is  prepared,  too, 
not  only  to  perform  the  service  of  a  mere  reader,  but  to  speak  of 
the  Divine  reality  and  import  of  its  precious  truths.  It  was  his 
to  speak  experimentally  of  their  power,  and  to  call  upon  all  that 
feared  God  to  come  and  hear  what  God  had  done  for  his  soul. 
Joyful  surprise  was  felt  by  all  that  little  band.  They  welcomed 
him  into  their  fellowship,  and  he  was  baptized  as  a  member  of 
Powhatan  Church.     This  was  in  lit  1. 

It  is  probable  that  Powhatan  Church  was  formed  at  this  time, 
and  that  he  was  one  of  its  original  members,  as  Mr.  Semple  makes 
its  constitution  to  occur  in  1*111.  Mr.  Smith  now  began  to  excite 
attention,  and  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
followed  his  baptism. 

Having  thus  been  brought  into  the  kingdom,  his  consolations 
were  strong  and  rational.  He  wished  to  tell  every  one  he  met 
the  Saviour's  love,  and  to  recommend  him  as  the  chief  among 
ten  thousand  and  altogether  lovely.  He  soon  exhorted  in  pub- 
lic. Having  a  most  excellent  voice,  he  engaged  the  attention  of 
the  people,  and  by  his  faithful  warnings  many  sinners  were  made 
to  tremble.     He  became  connected  in  the  pastoral  relation  with 


ROBERT  STOCKTON.  218 

the  Powhatan  Church,  and  for  some  time  supplied  Skinquarter 
and  Tomahawk  Churches,  in  Chesterfield  County.  In  these 
positions,  the  Lord,  through  him,  effected  much  good.  But  he 
was  not  long  retained.  Having  made  several  visits  to  the  State 
of  Kentucky,  he  at  length  determined  to  remove  thither,  and  in 
1804  settled  in  Franklin  County,  about  six  miles  from  Frankfort. 
There  also  he  was  useful.  He  was,  however,  soon  called  forever 
to  leave  the  field  of  ministerial  labor.  A  short  time  after  his 
settlement  in  the  "West  he  was  subject  to  painful  diseases,  which 
gradually  prostrated  his  strength,  and  in  1809  he  resigned  his 
spirit  into  the  hands  of  Him  who  gave  it. 

John  Taylor,  who  was  associated  with  him  in  the  same  church, 
says  of  him :  "  George  S.  Smith  was  a  man  of  great  respectability 
as  a  man,  and  much  of  a  doctrinal  preacher.  Simplicity  attended 
his  whole  course.  His  preaching  operated  but  sparingly  on  the 
passions  of  his  hearers,  for  though  his  voice  was  strong  and  sono- 
rous, yet,  lacking  soft  melody  of  tone,  like  a  Gibeonite  in  the 
house  of  God,  he  was  better  calculated  to  hew  wood  than  to 
draw  water.  He  continued  preaching  with  zeal  and  usefulness 
about  twenty  years  in  Kentucky,  and  died  in  the  pastoral  care  of 
a  large  church,  in  Jessamine  County,  called  Mount  Pleasant." 

Elder  Smith  was,  by  nature,  highly  gifted. ^  His  appearance 
was  prepossessing,  being  six  feet  in  height,  and  of  robust  form. 
He  weighed  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  He  was  an 
excellent  singer,  and  his  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  peculiarly  in- 
teresting;. 


^  HOBERT    STOCKTOK 

Robert  Stockton  was  born  December  12th,  1743,  in  Albe- 
marle County,  of  parents  who  were  connected  with  the  Presbyte- 
rian church.  Before  he  reached  manhood  he  professed  religion, 
and  became  himself  a  member  of  this  body.  Having  been  thrown 
into  the  society  of  Baptists,  he  was  led  to  the  examination  of  be- 
lievers' baptism,  and  to  the  belief  that  it  was  his  duty  to  be  im- 


214  ROBERT  STOCKTON. 

mersed  according  to  the  example  of  Christ.  He  was  baptized 
by  Mr.  Harriss,  in  ITH,  in  Henry  County.  Immediately  after  his 
union  with  the  Baptist  church  he  began  to  testify  to  the  truth 
that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners.  Nor  was 
he  content  to  be  called  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  without  faith- 
fully performing  the  duties  of  this  office.  His  labors  were  abund- 
ant. He  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
ministers  of  his  day  for  activity  and  faithfulness.  Through  his 
influence  many  were  won  to  the  service  of  Christ.  He  was  among 
those  who  were  most  active  in  the  formation  of  the  Strawberry 
Association.  Eleven  of  the  churches  which  compose  this  body 
were  constituted  mainly  by  his  instrumentality. 

Elder  Stockton  possessed  excellent  colloquial  talents.  These 
were  well  employed  in  passing  from  place  to  place.  Referring  to 
this  subject,  Elder  Semple  states  that  he  "had  always  an  inclina- 
tion to  travel ;  and  perhaps  no  man  ever  traveled  to  greater 
advantage.  Possessing  invincible  boldness,  it  was  altogether 
unimportant  to  him  what  kind  of  house  he  went  to,  whether  saint 
or  sinner,  friend  or  opposer.  He  never  failed,  wherever  he  went, 
to  enter  largely  into  religious  conversation ;  and  having  great 
command  of  his  temper,  and  much  presence  of  mind,  he  often 
made  religious  impressions  upon  those  previously  prejudiced.  It 
was  an  invariable  rule  with  him  to  propose,  and  if  permitted,  to 
perform  family  worship.  In  doing  this,  he  would  often  exhort  a 
half  hour  or  more.  It  was  very  entertaining  to  hear  Mr.  Stock- 
ton relate  the  various  adventures  of  his  life  respecting  things  of 
this  sort." 

For  many  years  he  was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  Strawberry 
Association,  and  filled  the  office  well.  His  influence  was  as 
merited  as  it  was  extensive.  It  is  true  that  his  sermons  were  not 
remarkable  for  originality.  He  did  not  astonish  by  the  extent 
and  variety  of  his  knowledge,  nor  gain  admiration  by  the  ele- 
gance of  his  style.  But  he  possessed  a  heart  full  of  compassion 
for  dying  men,  and  an  unquenchable  zeal  in  seeking  their  sal- 
vation. 

In  1800  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Barren 
County.  About  this  time  the  Green  River  Association  was 
formed ;  Elder  Stockton  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  continued 


JOSEPH  REDDING.  215 

to  preside  over  this  body  for  many  years.  He  was  regarded  by 
Kentucky  cliurclies  no  less  than  by  the  Baptists  in  his  native 
State.  About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1825,  he  was  called  by 
his  heavenly  Master  to  give  an  account  of  his  stewardship.  In 
the  early  part  of  his  sickness  he  suffered  much  from  the  fiery 
temptations  of  the  adversary,  but  was  enabled  to  gain  the  victory, 
and  died  in  full  assurance  of  hope.  He  had  reached  his  eighty- 
first  year,  having  been  fifty-four  years  a  preacher  of  righteousness. 


JOSEPH  REDDING. 

The  parents  of  Joseph  Redding  were  Europeans  by  birth.  He 
was  born  in  Fauquier  County  in  1150.  In  very  early  life  he  was 
left  an  orphan,  and,  with  six  or  seven  other  children,  was  placed 
under  the  care  of  an  uncle.  In  consequence  of  this  bereavement 
they  received  but  little  education,  though  some  regard  was  paid 
to  their  morals,  being  brought  up  rigid  churchmen.  When 
grown,  a  circumstance  occurred  which  resulted  in  Joseph's  con- 
version. A  Baptist  having  called  to  spend  the  night,  the  subject 
of  religion  was  introduced,  and  a  lengthy  conversation  ensued. 
The  man  of  God  was  encountered  in  argument  by  Isaac  Redding, 
a  brother  of  Joseph,  but  was  enabled  not  only  to  maintain  his 
ground  but  to  defeat  his  young  antagonist.  Isaac  became  deeply 
convicted.  This  so  enraged  his  brother  that  he  threatened  to 
chastise  him,  but  Isaac  continued  his  inquiries  until  Christ  was 
made  the  joy  of  his  heart.  A  short  time  after,  when  they  were 
together  in  a  large  company  of  young  men,  at  the  instigation  of 
Joseph,  his  brother  was  caught,  greatly  abused,  and  every  effort 
employed  to  compel  him  to  renounce  his  religion.  But  he  re- 
mained firm,  while  their  cruel  treatment  was  borne  with  lamb-like 
meekness.  The  mildness  of  his  temper  amid  such  provocations 
led  Joseph  to  serious  reflection,  and  he  was  soon  recognized  as  a 
weeping  penitent. 

Shortly  after,  Joseph  invited  Elder  William  Marshall  to  preach 
at  his  house,  and  his  convictions  becoming  deeper  and  deeper,  he 


216  JEREMIAH  MOOEE. 

v/as  almost  overwiielmed  with  the  consciousness  of  his  guilt.  He 
at  length  found  pardon  in  Christ.  At  that  time  his  views  of  the 
sovereignty  of  grace  were  so  clear  that  a  peculiar  cast  was  given 
to  all  his  future  ministrations.  He  was  baptized  in  I'T'Il,  and 
immediately  began  to  preach.  Possessing  a  strong  voice  and 
much  zeal,  he  attracted  notice  wherever  he  went.  In  company 
with  John  Taylor  he  spread  a  Saviour's  love  over  a  great  part  of 
IS'orthwestern  "Virginia.  Having  spent  two  years  preaching  in  his 
native  State,  he  removed  to  South  Carolina,  and  there  remained, 
laboring  with  much  success,  until  lYTO;  he  finally  settled  in  Ken- 
tucky. There  he  became  a  prominent  man,  at  first  connected 
with  the  Elkhorn  District,  but  afterwards  a  leader  in  the  Licking 
Association.     He  died  December,  1815. 


JEREMIAH  MOORE.* 

Jeremiah  Moore  was  born  in  Prince  William,  Yirginia,  June 
Yth,  1Y46.  His  parents,  though  not  wealthy,  Avere  respectable. 
From  an  early  period  in  life  serious  impressions  filled  his  mind, 
v.iiich  he  supposed  prevented  him  from  running  into  many  of  the 
excesses  of  the  times.  This  excepted,  nothing  of  an  extraordi- 
nary character  marked  his  progress,  until  he  reached  his  seven- 
teenth year,  when  a  considerable  revolution  took  place  in  the 
neighborhood  where  he  was  brought  up,  under  the  preaching  of 
the  Rev.  David  Thomas,  who  was  the  first  Baptist  he  ever  knew. 
Until  now,  he  never  heard  a  doubt  suggested  with  regard  to  the 
truth  of  the  established  religion.  Curiosity  induced  him  to  go 
and  hear  this  l^ew  Light,  as  Mr.  Thomas  was  then  called.  He 
returned  home  greatly  astonished  at  the  gentleman's  manner  of 
preaching,  the  doctrines  insisted  on,  together  with  his  apt  quota- 
tions from  the  Scriptures  in  support  of  the  whole.  This  brought 
him  to  confess  it  was  something  entirely  new,  and  looked  so  much 
like  the  'New  Testament,  with  which  he  had  some  acquaintance, 

*  By  his  son,  Elder  Francis  Moore. 


JEREMIAH   MOOEE.  21T 

that  it  afforded  him  much  matter  for  serious  meditation ;  and, 
although  it  was  several  years  before  he  was  made  to  understand 
the  principles  of  the  gospel,  he  never  could  obliterate  from  his 
mind  the  effect  of  this  sermon. 

As  his  acquaintances  were  generally  Episcopalians,  he  resolved, 
as  much  as  possible,  to  hide  his  views  from  them ;  and  this  he 
found  no  difficulty  in  effecting,  as  his  convictions  went  little  fur- 
ther than  to  persuade  him  that  Mr,  Thomas  and  his  Baptist 
friends  were  good  people,  and  did  not  deserve  the  abuse  gene- 
rally bestowed  on  them'. 

On  the  1st  of  November,  1*765,  being  about  nineteen  years  old, 
he  was  married  to  Lydia  Kenno,  daughter  of  Mi'.  Francis  Renno, 
whose  ancestors  were  under  the  necessity  of  flying  from  France, 
their  native  land,  on  account  of  their  religion,  and  taking  refuge 
in  the  then  British  dominions.  Settled  in  the  world,  he  was 
tempted  to  fly  to  that  false  refuge,  that  it  was  no  matter  what  re- 
ligion a  man  might  adopt,  provided  he  be  only  sincere  and  moral. 
His  having  fallen  into  this  snare  himself,  he  has  said,  was  the 
reason  why,  in  his  public  preaching,  he  so  earnestly  warned  others 
to  escape  it.  Having  come  to  this  conclusion,  he  became  more 
attentive  to  the  established  church,  and  carefully  avoiding  the 
Baptists,  would  never  go  to  hear  them  preach,  nor  see  any  of 
them  if  he  could  help  it.  By  this  time  they  had  much  increased, 
and  had  advanced  near  his  residence.  Several  of  his  acquaint- 
ances had  joined  them  ;  while  every  mention  of  them  brought  up 
recollections  that  goaded  him  to  the  heart. 

On  Easter  Monday,  ITYl,  he  went  from  home  on  business,  and 
on  his  return  his  servants  informed  him  that  their  mistress  had 
gone  with  his  mother  to  the  Baptist  meeting.  As  it  was  now 
some  time  in  the  afternoon  he  made  no  doubt  they  would  soon 
return.  But  the  evening  came  on  without  bringing  any  intelli- 
gence. As  several  of  his  father's  family  were  at  the  place  of  wor- 
ship, he  was  sure  if  anything  out  of  the  ordinary  course  had  taken 
place  they  would  have  informed  him.  At  about  eleven  o'clock  at 
night  he  heard  the  company  ride  up,  and  Mrs.  Moore  call  for  a 
servant.  He  went  out,  and  on  inquiring  if  anything  had  happened, 
was  informed  they  had  waited  to  hear  a  man  preach  by  candle- 
light.   In  conversation  with  Mrs.  Moore  relative  to  the  preaching, 

VOL.  I  19 


218  JEREMIAH  MOORE. 

he  soon  discovered  her  mind  was  mucli  affected.  She  observed, 
"Until  now  I  never  knew  anything  about  my  situation  as  a  poor 
miserable  sinner,  against  the  best  of  beings."  The  conversation 
was  like  a  dagger  to  his  heart ;  a  heavy  gloom  oppressed  his  mind, 
to  a  degree  he  had  never  felt  before.  A  few  days  after  he  went 
to  meeting.  The  service  was  introduced  by  singing  Watts's  30th 
hymn,  2d  book  : — 

"Come,  Tve  that  love  the  Lord, 
And  let  our  joys  be  known ; 
Join  in  a  song  with  sweet  accord, 
And  thus  surround  the  throne." 

But  the  following  words,  "Let  those  refuse  to  sing  that  never 
knew  our  God,"  came  with  power.  He  felt  he  knew  not  God ;  and 
deep  distress  filled  his  soul.  For  a  considerable  time  he  was  left 
to  mourn  that  he  could  not  mourn.  He  was  tempted  to  believe 
he  had  committed  the  unpardonable  sin ;  that  with  him  it  was  too 
late  ;  God  would  not  have  mercy  on  him  ;  and  though  he  strove 
to  pray,  he  was  often  led  to  conclude  the  mercies  he  sought  were 
not  for  such  as  he.  At  length,  through  the  goodness  of  God,  he 
was  enabled  to  feel  the  remission  of  his  sins  through  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb,  to  the  unspeakable  joy  of  his  heart.  No  wonder, 
then,  that  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ  should  be 
the  thfeme  he  dwelt  on  and  delighted  in  for  more  than  forty  years. 
How  could  he,  who  knew  liis  own  salvation  was  all  of  grace, 
preach  a  conditional  gospel  to  others  ? 

Soon  after  he  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Chap- 
pawamsick,  in  Stafford  County,  Virginia.  His  baptism  made  no 
small  stir  among  his  friends,  the  most  of  whom  were  Episcopalians, 
and  some  of  them  enemies  to  the  Baptists.  Some  pretended  to 
pity  his  folly,  while  others  treated  him  with  contempt ;  and  all 
agreed  to  give  him  up  for  lost  as  to  any  future  usefulness  to  him- 
self or  family.  By  becoming  a  Baptist  he  gave  up  a  small  office 
in  the  establishment  worth  2400  pounds  of  tobacco  yearly,  and 
with  it  the  friendship  of  many  influential  characters.  When  Elder 
D.  Thomas  baptized  him,  he  observed  to  a  friend,  "I  think  I  have 
this  day  baptized  a  preacher ;"  and  so  the  event  proved. 

Yery  soon  after  this  a  lady  (it  is  believed  to  have  been  the 


JEREMIAH   MOORE,  219 

mother  of  Judge  Frencli,  of  Kentucky,)  proposed  tlie  opening  a 
meeting  in  the  neighborhood,  for  singing  God's  praise,  reading  his 
word,  and  prayer,  to  which  he  consented,  not  imagining  the  work 
in  any  way  to  devolve  on  him.  Here,  however,  it  may  be  said, 
commenced  that  ministerial  work  in  which  he  was  engaged  nearly 
forty-five  years,  through  difficulties  and  trials,  with  a  zeal  and 
ability  that  have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  few.  Three  times  he  was 
apprehended  by  the  officers  of  the  crown  and  conducted  to  the 
town  of  Alexandria,  to  be  lodged  in  the  public  jail;  and  once 
committed  by  one  of  his  Majesty's  justices  of  the  peace  to  jail, 
for  preaching  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  This  mittimus  is  yet 
in  the  hands  of  his  family,  and  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  preserved,  as 
an  evidence  of  his  faithfulness  in  his  Master's  cause. 

He  was  blessed  with  an  uncommon  degree  of  health,  and  with 
seeing  many  churches  planted  as  the  fruit  of  his  labors.  One  in 
the  town  of  Alexandria  he  mentions  with  peculiar  pleasure,  on 
account  of  its  being  located  in  the  place  where  he  was  thrice 
called  to  answer  at  the  bar  of  his  country  for  preaching  the  gospel 
of  a  precious  Christ,  and  where  he  received  the  sentence  of  the 
judge  to  lie  in  jail  during  life.  From  all  these  afflictions  he  was 
wonderfully,  and  in  an  unexpected  way,  delivered,  not  without 
hope  of  meeting  in  a  happy  eternity  many  of  these  his  enemies 
and  their  posterity.  No  doubt  is  entertained  but  that  the  church 
of  Alexandria,  at  this  time,  is  in  part  composed  of  the  families 
that  have  descended  from  his  most  bitter  persecutors  !  The  ways 
of  God,  oh  how  unsearchable  ! 

About  two  years  before  his  death  his  friends  saw,  with  unspeak- 
able regret,  that  his  accustomed  health  was  fast  declining.  He, 
nevertheless,  continued  to  travel  and  preach,  through  a  district 
of  country  from  fifty  to  sixty  miles  in  diameter.  His  last  attempt 
to  speak  for  his  Divine  Master  was  in  the  village  of  Centreville. 
In  the  winter  of  1814,  it  is  thought,  by  those  who  are  qualified  to 
judge,  that  his  journeying  to  preach  the  gospel  from  place  to 
place  would,  if  directed  to  that  end,  have  carried  him  twice  round 
the  globe.  His  preaching  was  principally  confined  to  Maryland 
and  Yirginia;  yet  he  visited  North  and  South  Carolina,  Tennes- 
see, Kentucky,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  the  Jerseys,  and  New 
York. 


220  JEREMIAH   MOORE. 

A  few  days  before  his  death  he  observed  to  his  son,  "  I  have 
finished  my  course ;  the  doctrines  that  I  have  tried  to  preach  are 
the  stay  and  comfort  of  my  heart ;  I  know  in  whom  I  have  trusted. 
There  is  one  thing,  and  only  one,  that  gives  me  the  least  uneasi- 
ness, and  that  is,  that  I  have  not  traveled  more,  preached  more, 
and  written  more,  and  in  all  things  been  more  industrious  in  the 
best  of  causes."  His  last  moments  appeared  to  be  employed  as 
was  his  life,  in  a  desire  to  spread  abroad  the  savor  of  His  name 
whose  blood  and  righteousness  were  all  his  hope.  On  February 
24,  1815,  he  left  this  for  a  better  world,  leaving  a  widow,  five 
sons  and  four  daughters,  to  lament  a  loss  to  them  irreparable. 

In  addition  to  what  is  said  above  by  his  son,  it  may  be  proper 
to  mention  that  Mr.  Moore  published  two  or  three  treatises  on 
religious  subjects,  in  which  more  than  ordinary  talent  is  dis- 
played. 

The  mittimus  referred  to  above  is  in  these  words  :  "I  send  you 
here-nath  the  body  of  Jeremiah  Moore,  who  is  a  preacher  of  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  also  a  stroller."  To  escape  imprison- 
ment in  this  case,  it  was  necessary  to  obtain  from  the  authorities 
a  license  to  preach  at  certain  places.  Thus,  in  common  with 
many  others  of  his  brethren,  he  was  subject  to  painful  disabilities 
in  attempting  to  recommend  the  Saviour  he  loved — and  all  under 
the  cover  of  law. 

On  one  occasion  he  was  brutally  assailed  by  a  mob,  headed  by 
two  magistrates.  He  and  another  minister  were  taken,  with  the 
intention  of  plunging  them  in  the  water.  They  succeeded  in 
throwing  his  companion  into  the  water,  and  then  they  were  both 
released.  At  various  times  he  was  subjected  to  the  scoffing  and 
abuse  of  his  enemies,  they  breathing  out  threatenings  and  slaugh- 
ter against  him. 

Mr.  Semple  speaks  of  Mr.  Moore  as  a  man  of  commanding 
talents.  He  says :  "  Mr.  Moore  certainly  stands  in  the  front  row 
of  Yirginia  preachers.  His  person  and  voice  are  extremely  advan- 
tageous ;  his  style  is  strong  and  energetic,  and  indeed  elegant, 
especially  as  he  had  not  the  advantages  of  early  education.  His 
ideas  are  brilliant,  and  flow  upon  him  so  abundantly,  that  by  some 
of  his  friends  it  is  thought  to  interfere  with  clearness  of  arrange- 
ment.    He  is  well  versed  in  the  Scriptures,  and  often  gives  lucid 


AMBROSE  DUDLEY.  221 

explanations  of  difficult  passages.  His  system  is  high  Calvinism, 
which  he  presents  with  great  ingenuity.  *  *  *  His  talent  for 
satire  is  probably  equal  to  that  of  any  other  man  in  Virginia.. 
This  he  is  thought  to  indulge  too  lavishly  in  meeting  his  oppo- 
nents. Solomon  says,  'Though  you  bray  a  fool  in  a  mortar,  yet 
will  not  his  foolishness  depart  from  him.'  If  that  be  correct,  then 
it  is  better,  sometimes,  not  to  answer  a  fool  according  to  his  folly. 
Admitting  these  infirmities,  yet  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  preacher 
in  Virginia  has  run  a  more  honorable  course  than  Mr.  Moore ; 
honorable  to  his  God,  honorable  to  himself,  and  honorable  to  his 
people." 


AMBROSE   DTJDLET. 


A  NATIVE  'of  Spottsylvania,  and  was  born  in  1150.  During  the 
early  part  of  the  Revolution  he  was  commissioned  to  the  office 
of  captain  in  the  army,  and  while  absent  from  home  his  heart  was 
pierced  by  the  arrows  of  truth.  He  saw  that  he  had  all  his  days 
been  waging  war  against  his  Almighty  Sovereign,  and  in  deep 
humiliation  he  cast  himself  before  the  throne,  pleading  for  mercy. 
He  was  heard ;  his  iniquities  were  forgiven ;  he  became  a  loyal 
subject,  and  avowed  his  subjection  by  being  baptized,  according 
to  the  direction  of  his  King.  This  occurred  while  he  was  stationed 
at  Williamsburg. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  about  this  time,  the  church  in  his  native 
county  were,  with  great  union  and  earnestness,  imploring  God  to 
send  them  a  preacher,  they  being  at  that  time  destitute.  To 
their  astonishment  Mr.  Dudley,  with  whom  they  had  been  ac- 
quainted from  infancy,  and  who  had  left  home  an  opposing 
transgressor,  returned  a  changed  man,  sought  communion  with 
them,  and  expressed  desire  to  devote  himself  to  the  ministry. 
They  considered  him  as  the  gift  of  God  in  answer  to  prayer.  He 
began  to  preach.  His  first  efforts  gave  great  promise  of  useful- 
ness to  the  cause  of  Christ.  His  manner  was  zealous,  yet  digni- 
fied, and,  under  the  jjersecutions  which  characterized  those  times, 

19* 


222  AMBROSE  DUDLEY. 

he  exhibited  the  most  fearless  intrepidity ;  soon  the  church  became 
satisfied  of  his  call  to  the  ministry.  He  was  ordained,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  region  many  years.  In  1785  he  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky, and,  to  the  time  of  his  death,  was  one  of  the  most  faithful 
and  laborious  ministers  of  the  Western  country. 

Having  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Lexington,  he,  with  two  or 
three  other  ministers,  built  up  several  churches  of  the  Elkhorn 
Association.  Although  he  did  not  travel  extensively,  yet  within 
the  limits  of  Elkhorn  District  he  was  indefatigable  in  his  exertions, 
exercising  a  kind  of  watch-care  over  that  large  body.  He  is  said 
to  have  been  an  excellent  disciplinarian,  and  for  many  years  in 
succession  was  elected  to  preside  at  the  annual  meetings  of  the 
Association.  In  1792  his  time  was  employed  in  visiting  the 
churches,  in  the  character  of  an  evangelist,  for  the  purpose  of 
ascertaining  their  condition  and  promoting  their  spiritual  im- 
provement. In  this  capacity  he  was  useful.  Among  other  things 
which  he  urged  upon  the  churches  was  the  much  neglected  duty 
of  making  suitable  provision  for  the  support  of  their  pastors.  On 
this  subject  he  avoided  that  false  delicacy  indulged  by  many 
ministers,  and  hesitated  not  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God. 
In  the  explanation  and  defence  of  doctrinal  truth  he  was  intelli- 
gent, affectionate,  and  decided.     His  influence  was  extensive. 

"His  manners  and  general  habits,"  says  Mr.  James  E.Welsh, 
"seemed  to  indicate  that  'he  was  born'  for  discipline.  The  very 
glance  of  his  piercing  eye  was  often  sufficient  to  awe  into  silence. 
In  his  personal  appearance  he  was  unusually  erect  and  neat,  so 
that  once,  when  a  stranger  asked,  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  where 
he  could  be  found,  he  was  told  to  '  walk  down  the  street,  and  the 
first  man  he  met  having  on  a  superfine  black  coat,  without  a  sin- 
gle mote  upon  it,  would  be  Ambrose  Dudley.'  And  but  few  men 
have  ever  lived  and  died  in  the  ministry  who  '  kept  their  garments 
more  unspotted  from  the  world.'  He  was  highly  Calvinistic  in 
his  sentiments,  and  of  unbending  firmness  where  he  thought  truth 
and  duty  were  involved.  Whenever  it  was  known  that  he  had 
made  an  appointment  t*o  preach,  the  universal  declaration  was, 
'whether  it  rain  or  shine.  Brother  Dudley  will  be  there.'  He 
never  disappointed  any  engagement  he  made,  unless  sickness  or 
some  equallyunavoidable  providence  prevented.     In  family  disci- 


JOHN   SriACKLEFORD.  223 

pline  he  was  very  decided ;  he  never  spoke  but  once.  In  politi- 
cal or  worldly  matters  he  took  but  little  interest,  except  within 
the  limits  of  his  own  plantation.  He  was  a  man  of  God,  whose 
praise  is  in  all  the  churches  throughout  the  region  where  he  la- 
bored.    He  'died  at  the  horns  of  the  altar  '" 

In  1818,  an  unhappy  difficulty  existed  in  the  Elkhorn  Associa- 
tion, which  resulted  in  a  division.  How  far  he  was  to  blame  is 
not  for  the  biographer  to  determine.  The  Licking  Association 
was  formed,  and  he  became  a  prominent  member.  He  continued 
to  labor  efficiently  until  his  death,  in  1823. 


JOHN    SHACKLEFORD. 

This  eminently  usefal  servant  of  Christ  was  born  in  Caroline 
County  in  1150.  When  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  became 
a  pious  man  and  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  He  was  not  ordained 
until  1714,  when  he  undertook  the  pastoral  care  of  Tuckahoe 
Church,  Caroline  County.  In  this  position  he  remained  until  he 
removed  to  the  Western  country.  His  labors  in  the  lower  part 
of  Yirginia  were  arduous.  Besides  frequent  journeys  in  the  sur- 
rounding counties,  he  was  compelled  to  toil  with  his  own  hands 
to  minister  to  the  necessities  of  those  who  were  with  him.  In 
1T88  especial  times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  tlie  Lord 
were  enjoyed  in  Tuckahoe  Church,  when  he  baptized  more  than 
three  hundred  persons. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus :  "It 
was  said,  and  I  think  upon  good  authority,  that  at  the  time  of  his 
marriage  his  stock  of  learning  amounted  to  little  more  than  a 
knowledge  of  reading.  Considering  this  fact,  his  proficiency  in 
the  science  of  preaching  was  really  wonderful.  About  the  com- 
mencement of  ray  religious  profession  I  heard  him  often.  He 
discussed  a  subject  with  a  considerable  degree  of  method  and  in- 
genuity; was  sometimes  a  little  fanciful,  being  rather  fond  of  alle- 
gorical preaching ;  but  evangelical  truth  and  practical  godliness 


224  JOHN   SHACKLEFORD. 

w^ere  enforced  with  warmth  and  effect,  and  he  was  a  popular  and 
a  very  successful  preacher." 

In  consequence  of  pecuniary  difficulties  he  was  compelled,  in 
IT 92,  to  migrate  to  Kentucky.  Alas,  how  many  valuable  men 
has  Virginia  lost  by  the  neglect  of  her  churches  !  Though  it  is 
the  duty  of  a  minister  to  preach,  whether  his  brethren  supply  his 
necessities  or  not,  yet  his  influence  and  usefulness  will  be  very 
much  circumscribed  when  they  fail  to  discharge  their  obligations 
to  him.  It  is  unquestionably  his  duty  to  make  provision  for  the 
support  of  his  family.  To  do  this,  Elder  Shackleford  sought  a 
home  in  another  State. 

After  his  removal,  he  received  from  several  churches  an  invita- 
tion to  settle  among  them  as  their  pastor.  At  length  he  accepted 
the  call  of  South  Elkhorn  Church,  with  which  the  venerable  Lewis 
Craig  had  been  connected.  Here  his  ministrations  were  emi- 
nently successful :  the  church  became  so  large  that  one  hundred 
members  were  dismissed  to  form  another  body  in  the  same  vicinity. 
The  new  church  was  called  Mount  Pleasant,  and  soon  was  en- 
larged to  three  hundred  and  fifty  members.  As  when  he  lived 
in  Yirginia,  most  remarkable  revivals  of  religion  were  enjoyed 
under  his  ministry. 

John  Taylor  thus  bears  testimony  to  his  character :  "  Lewis 
Craig  continued  pastor  of  South  Elkhorn  for  perhaps  nine  years, 
and  then  moved  to  Bracken  County,  near  the  Ohio  River.  Hav- 
ing been  well  acquainted  with  John  Shackleford  in  Yirginia,  who 
had  lately  removed  to  Kentucky,  he  advised  the  church  at  South 
Elkhorn  to  call  him  to  take  the  watch-care  of  them.  I  sup- 
pose Shackleford  has  been  in  the  ministry  at  least  fifty  years,  and 
was  a  prisoner  of  the  Lord  in  early  times  in  Yirginia.  He  was 
a  preacher  of  much  respectablity  from  his  youth,  and  his  labors 
were  attended  with  great  success  before  he  came  to  Kentucky. 
He  has  been  the  laborious  pastor  of  Elkhorn  Church  for  more 
than  thirty  years.  Under  his  ministrations  there  have  been 
great  additions  to  the  church,  several  revivals  having  been  en- 
joyed there.  About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  seve- 
ral hundreds  were  added  in  one  year.  A  few  years  past,  nearly 
two  hundred  were  added  in  one  winter." 

This  pleasing  testimony,  from  one  of  Kentucky's  reliable  histo- 


JOHN   TAYLOR.  225 

rians,  serves  to  illustrate  the  sterling  excellence  of  Shackleford's 
character,  and  the  moral  power  he  was  permitted  to  exercise  in 
the  State  of  his  adoption.  Virginia  lost  much,  but  Kentucky 
gained  more,  because  more  she  needed  the  zealous  evangelist  in 
her  wide-spread  destitution.  Thus,  what  seemed  at  the  time  an 
evil,  was  overruled,  by  the  great  Head  of  the  church,  for  good. 

But  this  devoted  man  was  not  allowed  to  enjoy  uninterrupted 
tranquillity  in  his  work  of  love.  The  tenets  taught  by  Mr.  A. 
Campbell  were  introduced  into  his  churches,  and,  to  some  extent, 
were  successful  in  producing  a  division.  Much  disputation  and 
unholy  feeling  were  engendered  among  Christians,  while  the  cause 
of  Christ  was  exposed  to  the  sneers  of  sinners.  His  pious  soul 
was  vexed,  day  by  day,  as  he  beheld  some  of  the  most  funda- 
mental truths  of  the  Word  of  God  assailed  and  ridiculed  by 
these  schismatics.  Especially  did  it  grieve  him  to  see  some  of 
those  whom  he  had  begotten  in  the  gospel  so  soon  turning  away 
to  these  heresies.  He  found,  however,  that  his  own  heart  was 
sustained  amid  these  trials  by  the  sacred  doctrines  which,  from 
his  earliest  allegiance  to  Christ,  had  been  his  consolation.  He 
died  in  1829,  having  reached  his  seventy-ninth  year. 


JOHI^  TAYLOR. 


Born  in  Fauquier  County,  1'I52.  When  he  reached  his  seven- 
teenth year,  having  heard  Elder  William  Marshall  preach,  he 
became  impressed  with  the  worth  of  eternal  things,  and  began  to 
ask,  "what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?"  His  distress  was  pungent 
and  protracted.  Considerable  alarm  was  created  among  his 
friends  in  discovering  his  deep-settled  gloom,  lest  he  should  be 
verging  toward  insanity.  They  were,  however,  little  aware  of 
the  true  cause  of  his  grief,  and  consequently  were  unable  to  pre- 
scribe a  remedy.  His  relief  came  from  the  Word  of  God.  There 
he  learned  that  God  was,  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself,  not  imputing  to  them  their  iniquities.  Upon  this  truth 
he  built  his  hope,  and  here  he  found  consolation. 

VOL.  I. — P 


226  JOHN    TAYLOR. 

In  the  quaint  but  nervous  style  of  Mr.  Taylor,  we  will  allow 
him  to  relate  his  exercises  substantially  in  his  own  words: 
"Through  the  intemperate  use  of  spirits  and  what  is  generally 
connected  with  that  vice,  my  poor  father  had  so  far  consumed  his 
living,  that  hard  labor  was  my  inevitable  lot  in  my  raising.  He 
had  moved  to  Frederick  County,  back  of  the  Blue  Kidge,  on  the 
Shenandoah  River.  Here  Mr.  William  Marshall  came,  preaching 
the  gospel  of  the  kingdom.  At  one  of  his  meetings  I  became 
alarmed.  I  was  then  about  seventeen  years  old,  and  went  to  the 
meeting  as  I  would  have  gone  to  a  frolic.  I  had  heard  of  the 
great  effect  among  the  people  under  his  preaching.  About  mid- 
way of  his  discourse — for  I  had  not  noticed  a  word  he  said  before 
— the  truth  pierced  my  soul  as  quickly  and  with  as  much  sensi- 
bility as  an  electric  shock.  In  a  moment  my  mind  was  opened 
to  see  the  truth  of  all  he  said.  I  felt  as  if  then  at  the  bar  of  God, 
and  as  if  condemnation  was  pronounced  against  me.  It  may 
seem  strange,  but  I  instantly  loved  the  very  truth  that  condemned 
me  and  the  instrument  that  brought  it.  I  had  never  felt  such  an 
attachment  to  any  human  being  before. 

"From  that  time  I  felt  a  peculiarly  tender  attachment  for  all  I 
could  think  truly  religious,  though  it  might  be  an  old  African ; 
and,  had  the  world  been  mine,  I  would  have  given  all  to  have 
been  like  one  of  them,  though  with  it  I  were  a  slave  for  life. 
Some  things  spoken  of  by  Paul  are  as  incredible  as  this.  He  often 
calls  Grod  to  witness  the  truth  of  them. 

"At  first  the  attaining  of  true  religion  seemed  so  perfectly  out 
of  my  reach  and  so  great  a  thing,  that  it  never  could  be  mine. 
This  heavy  doubt  sunk  me  into  dark  despondency.  Perhaps  I 
never  attempted  to  put  up  a  prayer  to  God  of  any  kind  for 
six  months  together.  As  I  was  to  be  lost  at  last,  I  concluded  I 
had  better  try  to  enjoy  myself,  or,  at  least,  to  please  my  companions 
as  best  I  could.  Yet  sin  was  a  bitter  cup,  though  I  practiced  it. 
So  I  continued  for  many  days ;  I  seldom  heard  preaching,  and 
as  seldom  was  in  company  with  religious  people,  for  all  my  con- 
nections held  the  New  Lights,  as  they  were  called,  in  the  utmost 
contempt.  This  early  conviction  gradually  took  deeper  root,  and 
sin  grew  more  hateful,  so  that  often  when  practicing  it  my  guilt 
would  become  so  heavy  on  my  soul  I  would  be  ready  to  roar  out 


JOHN  TAYLOR.  221 

aloud.  To  prevent  my  comrades  from  seeing  the  effect  I  would 
abruptly  leave  them,  and,  by  myself,  bemoan  my  miserable  case. 
By  this  kind  of  compulsion  I  forsook  my  companions,  and  betook 
myself  to  reading  the  Scriptures.  When  I  would  think  of  prayer 
to  God  it  seemed  to  me  both  awful  and  dangerous ;  awful  for  a 
sinner  to  approach  an  infinitely  holy  God,  and  dangerous,  more, 
than  to  omit  the  duty. 

"  Thus  I  worried  on,  I  think,  a  whole  summer.  At  length  I 
began  to  think  that  I  had  forsaken  all  my  old  comrades,  and  with 
them  all  my  old  vices,  and  read  the  Scriptures  a  good  deal.  I 
foolishly  concluded  that  I  was  much  better  than  before,  and  that 
I  might  now  begin  to  pray ;  that  I  was  now  becoming  good 
enough  for  the  Lord  to  be  pleased  with  my  prayers.  I  became 
abundantly  pleased  that  I  should  get  to  heaven  as  well  as  the 
Baptists,  and  make  no  fuss  about  it.  Thus  I  had  cured  all  my 
former  sores,  and  was  safe  without  Jesus  Christ. 

"Thanks  to  the  good  Lord,  he  did  not  suffer  me  to  continue 
there.  Joseph  and  Isaac  Redding  lived  neighbors  to  my  father. 
Immediately  after  their  conversion  they  began  to  preach  with 
great  zeal  throughout  the  neighborhood.  The  purport  of  their 
preaching  was,  'ye  must  be  born  again,  or  never  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.'  Under  the  preaching  of  the  Beddings  the  poor 
rags  of  my  own  righteousness  took  fire  and  burned  me  to  death. 
Till  now,  in  reading  the  law,  I  only  understood  its  external 
demands  ;  but  by  the  removal  of  the  veil  from  my  heart  I  disco- 
vered the  sin  of  my  nature.  That  law  which  required  truth  and 
holiness  in  the  inward  parts  condemned  me  for  the  sin  of  my 
heart.  Amendment  was  out  of  the  question ;  for  everything  I 
could  do  was  like  the  filthy  fountain  from  which  it  came.  Every 
spring  of  my  soul  seemed  now  an  unclean  thing,  and  my  best 
efforts  as  filthy  rags.  My  prayers,  on  which  I  had  much  relied, 
appeared  abhorrent  both  to  God  and  myself.  My  practical  sins, 
that  had  been  numerous,  and  many  of  them  of  a  magnitude  that, 
to  this  day,  I  can  never  forgive,  were,  in  a  manner,  removed  out 
of  my  sight  by  the  late  survey  of  this  mighty  port  of  ill-bred  cor- 
ruptions, that  seemed  to  swarm  through  my  whole  soul. 

"  Should  you  ask  what  these  corruptions  were,  I  could  only 
state  their   outlines :    as   spiritual  ignorance,   unlawful   desires. 


228.  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

hardness  of  heart,  above  all,  unbelief,  and  all  these  generating 
their  thousands,  while  my  inability  was  such  that  I  could  not 
master  any  of  these  thousands.  My  first  thoughts  under  this  new 
discovery  were,  that  my  day  was  past :  that  time  had  been  when 
I  might  have  been  saved,  but  now  it  was  too  late  ;  and  that  I  was 
given  up  of  God  to  a  hard  heart  and  reprobate  mind.  Under 
these  embarrassments  I  labored  for  many  months.  I  ate  no 
pleasant  food,  and  enjoyed  not  one  night's  rest.  My  father's 
family  took  the  alarm  that  I  had  gone  beside  myself,  and,  to  tell 
the  truth,  I  was  driven  to  my  wit's  end,  believing  that  I  was  sure 
to  be  lost  as  if  I  was  then  in  hell.  I  was  often  on  my  knees 
crying  for  mercy,  if,  perhaps,  it  might  be  obtained. 

"At  length  a  new  thought  struck  me,  that  was  more  distressing 
than  all  before,  that  I  never  had  a  day  of  grace;  and  though 
some  quarrel  with  God  about  election,  it  had  a  very  different  effect 
upon  me.  I  shall  never  forget  where  I  was  when  this  thought 
struck  me.  I  was  chopping  fire-wood  in  the  cap  of  a  tree,  and  a 
deep  snow  on  the  ground,  more  than  fifty  years  ago.  Under  this 
thought  I  was  stricken  with  a  tremor,  as  was  Belshazzar  when 
the  hand-writing  was  on  the  wall.  The  axe  dropped  from  my 
hands.  I  fell  on  my  knees,  not  to  ask  mercy,  but  to  acknowledge 
God's  justice  in  my  condemnation.  For  about  one  month  I  do 
not  know  that  I  willingly  asked  for  mercy,  though  I  was  often 
on  my  knees,  both  day  and  night.  The  purport  of  my  addresses 
was  a  confession  of  the  justness  of  my  doom.  'No  spasm  could 
more  affect  the  body  than  these  awful  thoughts  alternately  affected 
my  soul.  My  conclusion  was  that  no  one  ever  saw  and  felt  what 
I  did  till  just  before  God  cut  him  off.  A  lonesome  mountain, 
where  nobody  lived,  was  in  full  view  of  my  father's  home.  There 
I  intended  to  roam  the  balance  of  my  wretched  life.  In  what 
mode  vengeance  was  to  overtake  me,  whether  by  the  violence  of 
my  own  hands  or  by  other  means,  I  knew  not.  Such  were  my 
impressions ;  and  perhaps  no  criminal  ever  went  to  execution  with 
more  agony  of  mind  than  I  went  to  that  fatal  mountain.  As  it 
began  to  grow  dark,  in  passing  under  an  overhanging  rock,  it 
occurred  to  me  to  fall  on  my  knees  and  acknowledge,  what  I  had 
often  done,  the  justice  of  God  in  this  awful  sentence.  On  my 
knees,  I  began  to  whisper  something  like  this  :  '  Thy  throne,  0 


JOHN   TAYLOR.  229 

Grod,  shall  remain  unsullied  and  unimpeached  when  thy  wrath  is 
inflicted  upon  me.'  While  thus  speaking,  my  thoughts  took  a 
new  and  pleasing  turn  on  the  subject  of  salvation :  that  the  great 
grace  of  Jesus  Christ  has  extended  to  cases  desperate  as  mine  ; 
that  Christ-despisers  and  Christ-killers  had  been  saved  by  this 
glorious  Saviour.  I  saw  the  fullness  of  the  grace  of  Christ,  but  I 
could  not  call  it  mine.  The  effect  of  that  view  was  a  sweet  peace 
and  calm  of  mind,  such  as  I  had  never  felt  before. 

"  The  mere  possibility  of  salvation  was  to  me  like  life  from  the 
dead ;  for  I  had  long  thought,  for  reasons  stated  above,  that 
salvation  for  me  was  not  possible.  What  I  met  at  the  hanging 
rock,  small  as  it  may  appear,  was  so  great  to  me  that  I  changed 
my  resolution  as  to  dying  in  the  mountain  or  continuing  there  all 
night.  I  returned  home  a  new  man  thus  far.  The  style  of  my 
prayer  was  changed.  I  now  began  to  cry  for  mercy,  as  the  great 
grace  in  Christ  had  brought  possible  salvation  to  such  a  wretched 
sinner  as  myself.  I  believe  I  shall  never  forget  the  hanging  rock 
while  I  live,  nor  even  in  heaven." 

This  narrative  is  thus  quoted  not  to  intimate  that  all  these 
deep  agitations  of  mind  are  essential  to  Christian  experience. 
This  was  not  his  design.  He  knew  and  felt  that  they  originated 
in  defective  views  of  the  plan  of  salvation.  The  salvation  he 
sought  was  nigh  him,  even  at  first;  and  he  was  compelled,  after 
all  his  struggles,  to  come  to  Jesus,  helpless,  unworthy,  and  joy- 
fully to  confide  in  him  as  his  only  hope.  Speaking  of  the  blind 
man  to  whom  Jesus  restored  sight,  he  said :  "  Though  I  neither 
saw  nor  heard  anything,  I  began  to  feel  as  if  the  Saviour  were 
talking  to  me,  in  company  with  the  blind  man;  and  when  he 
answered,  'Lord,  I  believe,'  and  he  worshiped  him,  the  very  lan- 
guage of  my  soul  was  expressed,  and  if  I  did  not  speak,  my  heart 
repeated  it  over  and  over:  'Lord,  I  believe;'  'Lord,  I  believe.' 
My  soul  so  ran  in  the  same  way,  and  I  understood  more  of  Jesus 
Christ  in  one  moment  than  I  had  learned  in  all  my  life  before.  I 
considered  him  as  both  Lord  and  Christ ;  that  he  was  the  proper 
object  of  worship  ;  and  that  it  was  no  robbery  to  think  of  him  as 
on  equality  with  the  Father.  The  heavenly  joy  and  peace  exceeds 
my  expression." 

Hearing  that  the  church  of  which  James  Ireland  was  pastor 

veil.  I  20 


230  JOHN   TAYLOK. 

would  meet  to  receive  members,  he  went  with  the  determination 
of  uniting  himself  with  the  people  of  Grod.  He  found  the  house 
crowded  to  overflowing,  and  was  unable  to  obtain  entrance,  but 
stood  at  the  window  and  listened  to  the  relation  which  a  number 
gave  of  the  Divine  goodness  to  them.  While  there,  he  was  the 
subject  of  violent  temptation.  The  suggestion  came  with  great 
power,  that  all  his  religious  impressions  were  a  delusion,  and  that 
all  with  whom  he  was  present  were  deceived.  He  was  inclined 
to  give  way  to  universal  skepticism.  Returning  from  meeting  in 
this  state  of  mind,  he  knew  not  what  to  do  or  whither  to  flee. 
In  the  pleasures  of  sin  he  could  find  no  enjoyment,  and  yet,  con- 
cerning the  truths  of  revelation,  his  mind  was  enveloped  in  dark- 
ness and  doubt.  He  retired  to  a  deep  and  lonely  glen,  far  away 
from  human  habitation,  and,  as  the  shades  of  night  came  on,  he 
found  himself  surrounded  with  so  many  testimonials  of  the  Divine 
existence  and  glory  in  the  spangled  firmament  above  him,  and  in 
all  the  works  of  His  hand,  that  the  righteousness  and  justice  of  His 
law  became  more  evident  than  ever.  Again  he  felt  the  heaviness 
of  that  guilt  which  he  had  contracted,  and  his  need  of  the  gospel 
remedy.  The  adaptedness  of  this  plan  to  his  ruined  condition 
rushed  upon  his  mind  The  words  of  Christ  to  Thomas,  "Pleach 
hither  thy  finger,"  etc.,  were  made  the  subject  of  profitable  and 
consoling  reflections.  With  Thomas  he  was  enabled  to  say, 
"My  Lord  and  my  God."  He  returned  from  his  hiding-place, 
willing  to  tell  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  his  soul,  and  shortly 
after  was  baptized  by  James  Ireland.  He  joined  the  Happy 
Creek  Church. 

Mr.  Taylor  came  forth  from  the  doubt  and  perplexity  in  which  he 
had  so  long  remained,  not  only  with  a  joyous  elasticity  of  mind,  but 
with  a  hearty  purpose  to  live  to  God.  The  necessities  of  the  times, 
as  well  as  a  sense  of  obligation  to  his  Almighty  Deliverer,  prompted 
him  to  consider  the  question  of  entering  the  ministry.  He  says :  "  I 
was  now  in  my  twentieth  year.  I  found  the  church  no  place  of  ease 
to  me,  for,  among  other  distresses,  I  felt  a  new  one  occurred  I 
soon  began  to  feel  great  anxieties  to  communicate  what  I  felt  and 
knew  of  Christ  to  my  fellow-men.  This  was  to  me  a  great  source  of 
perplexity  on  account  of  my  unpreparedness  for  so  great  a  work. 
Joseph  Redding  soon  moved  to  South  Carolina.     Isaac  Redding 


JOHN  TAYLOK.  231 

holding  meetings  in  the  neighborhood,  it  came  on  as  a  thing  of 
course,  to  give  him  some  aid,  so  that,  in  a  few  months,  I  became  a 
public  speaker.  My  conclusion  was,  that  I  could  live  nowhere  but 
with  Joseph  Redding.  The  next  winter  I  traveled  to  South  Caro- 
lina, to  live  there,  or  have  him  return  with  me.  We  returned  in  the 
spring,  and  the  church  called  me  to  preach.  Why  the  church  did 
this  is  yet  a  wonder  to  me  ;  for,  though  I  was  twenty  years  old,  I 
was  only  a  fit  associate  for  mill  or  school-boys.  My  lack  of  infor- 
mation filled  me  with  dismay.  My  boyhood  was  such,  even  in 
stature,  that  it  seemed  to  forbid  me  to  address  grown  people. 

"About  four  years  after  I  began  to  preach,  I  was  ordained  as  an 
itinerant  minister.  The  Presbytery  that  oflSciated  were  Lewis 
Craig,  John  Picket,  John  Koontz,  Joseph  Redding,  andTheodorick 
JSToel.  In  those  days  I  had  three  gospel  fathers :  William  Mar- 
shall, the  instrument  of  my  awakening  and  conversion ;  James 
Ireland,  who  baptized  me,  and  under  whose  pastoral  care  I  lived 
some  time  ;  and  Joseph  Redding,  with  whom  I  traveled  nearly  ten 
years." 

With  Joseph  Redding 'Mr.  Taylor  was  intimately  associated. 
These  two  servants  of  Christ,  with  apostolic  zeal  and  courage, 
carried  the  sound  of  salvation  into  regions  it  had  never  reached. 
They  were  two  of  the  most  daring  spirits  of  that  age.  Yery  fre- 
quently their  journeys  were  extended  beyond  the  Blue  Ridge  more 
than  two  hundred  miles.  This  was  then  a  thinly  settled  country.  In 
these  western  excursions  they  were  received  with  open  arms.  They 
were  not,  like  their  eastern  brethren,  subject  to  the  opposing  rage  of 
the  established  church  ;  but  they  were  not  without  trials.  Most  of 
their  journeys  were  performed  on  foot,  over  a  rugged  and  almost 
unbroken  wilderness ;  and  they  were  continually  in  danger  of  falling 
a  prey  to  the  savage  barbarities  of  the  Indians,  as  they  passed  on 
from  fort  to  fort.  The  good  hand  of  the  Lord  alone  preserved  them. 
In  hunger  and  thirst,  in  watchfulness  and  weariness,  did  Mr.  Taylor 
go  forth  to  preach  the  gospel.     He  could  say : — 

"  In  these  mountains  let  me  labor ; 
In  these  forests  let  me  tell 
How  he  died,  the  blessed  Saviour, 
To  redeem  a  world  from  hell." 


232  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

As  illustrative  of  the  trials  and  exposures  of  this  pioneer  mis- 
sionary, we  extract  a  passage  from  his  own  account  of  these  early 
labors  :  "After  ranging  through  the  large  County  of  Hampshire 
a  year  or  two,  we  contemplated  passing  the  Alleghany  Mountains 
to  the  back  settlements  on  Monongahela  River.  Our  destination 
was  Tygarts  Yalley.  This  valley  was  estimated  at  fifty  miles 
long,  and  newly  settled  by  about  one  hundred  families.  I  found 
but  one  Baptist,  a  woman ;  but  I  thought  her  a  precious  Chris- 
tian. This  tour  was  in  the  middle  of  winter,  and  the  snow  knee- 
deep.  The  distance  from  one  settlement  to  the  other  was  about 
fifty  miles.  The  track  was  such  that  it  took  two  days  to  get 
there ;  of  course  we  camped  out  one  night  in  the  deep  snow. 
For  the  first  time  we  saw  people  living  in  a  fort.  We  then  set  out 
for  Greenbrier.  The  next  June,  I  concluded  to  take  a  more  ex- 
tended tour.  Monongahela  Kiver  has  five  large  branches  ;  these 
were  all  peopled.  Our  first  stop  was  at  Ghent  River,  where  a 
little  settlement  of  Baptists  was  found.  Here  we  worshiped 
awhile.  All  the  settlements  in  the  great  glades,  a  space  of  sixty 
miles,  had  been  broken  up  by  the  Indians.  The  next  place  was 
about  thirty  miles,  bearing  down  toward  Red  Stone,  where  was 
a  considerable  settlement  of  people,  and  a  small  Baptist  church, 
which  had  been  constituted  by  John  Corbley.  After  this,  Mr 
Corbley's  family  was  killed  by  the  Indians.  The  house  was  filled 
with  people  who  came  to  hear  preaching. 

"  Thence  we  crossed  over  the  Main  River,  and  ranged  up  the 
main  bank,  where  we  had  some  happy  meetings.  From  this  settle- 
ment it  was  a  day's  ride  to  Buchanon  River,  where  I  think  preach- 
ing had  never  been.  The  people  were  either  forted  or  huddled 
together  in  block-houses.  These  poor  creatures  would  risk  all 
they  had,  and  their  lives  also,  that  they  might  get  together  to  hear 
preaching.  There  we  had  several  meetings,  and  the  people  were 
much  aft'ected.  From  Buchanon,  one  day's  ride,  through  gloomy 
forests,  brought  us  to  Tygarts  River.  The  next  winter,  dreary 
indeed,  I  visited  all  these  settlements  again." 

Another  tour  is  thus  referred  to  :  "It  was  thirty  miles  from 
the  upper  house  in  the  valley  to  the  first  house  in  the  Greenbrier 
settlement,  and  over  a  tremendous  mountain  that  divided  the  two 
rivers.     The  track  was  very  dull ;  I  was  a  stranger  to  the  way, 


JOHN   TAYLOR.  233 

and  without  company.  The  river  was  from  twenty  to  thirty 
yards  wide  where  I  set  out,  to  the  source  of  which  I  had  to  travel 
before  I  ascended  the  mountain.  The  river  was  so  blocked  up 
with  ice  that  it  seemed  impossible  for  my  borrowed,  bare-footed 
horse  to  cross  it.  I  thought  of  going  back,  but  concluded  to 
push  on.  I  took  my  wrappers  from  my  legs,  and  placed  my 
horse's  fore-feet  in  the  middle  of  them,  and  tied  them  round  his 
legs  with  my  garters.  But  I  could  not  get  him  to  take  a  step  on 
the  ice.  My  only  remedy  was  to  lead  him  to  some  little  steep 
bank  two  or  three  feet  high,  and  suddenly  push  him  on  the  ice, 
and  then  lead  him  across.  This  was  often  repeated,  for  we  had 
to  cross  the  river  nearly  twenty  times.  The  cold  was  so  intense 
that  it  was  doubtful  if  my  ears  and  hands  would  not  freeze.  I 
reached  the  house  about  sundown." 

A  volume  might  be  filled  with  a  reference  to  his  exposures  and 
sufferings  in  his  numerous  journeys  over  the  Blue  Mountains  and 
Alleghany  Glades.  ISTo  difficulties  hindered,  no  dangers  affrighted, 
if  he  might  but  preach  in  these  sparsely-settled  regions  the  Word 
of  Life.  On  one  occasion  he  remained  in  a  stupor  for  several 
days,  after  wading  swollen  streams  and  becoming  nearly  be- 
numbed by  the  severity  of  the  cold.  At  another  time  in  crossing 
the  Glades  his  horse  escaped,  and  carrying  on  his  back  his  saddle 
and  bags,  he  wandered  for  nearly  forty  hours  without  food,  spend- 
ing one  night  in  this  exposed  condition.  His  horse  was  never 
found. 

"  Taylor  was  not  imprisoned  as  were  many  of  his  brethren  in 
Eastern  Yirginia.  But  he  was  not  free  from  persecution.  He 
speaks  of  the  '  rage  of  mobs'  with  which  he  was  assaulted,  and 
'open  contradiction  while  preaching.'  On  one  occasion,  'armed 
with  instruments  of  death,  twenty  young  men  approached  him  and 
his  friends  in  the  midst  of  their  worship,  beating  some  and  driving 
the  others  from  the  place.' " 

The  labors  of  this  indefatigable  man  were  not  confined  to  these 
frontier  settlements.  He  says :  "  The  apparent  call  for  constant 
traveling  bore  with  great  weight  upon  my  mind,  though  with 
much  misgiving  of  heart  arising  from  my  own  inadequacy.  I  not 
only  kept  up  my  range  with  Redding  in  the  backwoods,  but  below 
the  Blue  Ridge  on  each  side  of  the  Rappahannock  River,  where 

20* 


234  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

I  became  acqaainted  with  several  of  the  laborious  servants  of  the 
Lord :  as  Theodorick  Noel,  Lewis  Lunsford,  Nathaniel  Sanders, 
all  the  Craigs,  George  Eve^  Thomas  Ammons,  John  Leland, 
John  Shackleford,  John  Picket,  and  many  others,  all  of  whom, 
from  my  soul,  I  preferred  to  myself." 

In  one  of  these  visits  to  the  Northern  Neck,  he  speaks  of  a 
great  revival  of  religion  through  that  country,  during  which 
Lewis  Lunsford  and  others  had  been  baptized.  He  says:  "In 
every  direction  there  was  such  a  call  for  preaching  day  and  night, 
that  it  required  the  best  of  lungs  in  the  speaker  to  bear  the  ser- 
vice. Though  the  nights  were  short,  the  houses  would  not  hold 
the  people.  I  have  known  the  preacher  stand  in  the  yard,  the 
bright  moonlight  such  that  without  a  candle  hundreds  would  re- 
main and  listen  to  the  gospel.  Kespectable  young  ladies  would 
walk  ten  miles  on  those  pleasant  sandy  roads,  rather  than  miss  the 
happy  night-meetings.  Perhaps  our  modern  young  ladies,  who 
love  carnal  pleasure,  novels,  and  theatres  more  than  they  love  the 
worship  of  God,  may  blame  them  as  imprudent ;  but  God  has  de- 
cided already  in  their  favor,  and  against  these  daughters  of  Diana 
and  Venus.  This  revival  spread  over  a  great  part  of  the  Northern 
Neck,  and  many  hundreds  were  baptized."  • 

The  ministry  of  this  itinerant  was  greatly  blessed ;  several 
churches  were  founded,  mainly  under  his  influence.  In  1T83,  he 
found  it,  as  he  believed,  his  duty  to  seek  a  support  in  the  fertile 
fields  of  the  West,  as,  notwithstanding  his  toils  in  Yirginia,  the 
churches  contributed  but  little  to  provide  for  his  necessities.  One 
year  previous  to  this  he  was  chosen  pastor  of  the  church  he  first 
joined.  When  he  removed  he  settled  in  what  is  now  called 
Woodford  County,  then  comparatively  a  wilderness.  He  was 
well  qualified  to  labor  as  a  pioneer,  having  learned,  by  his  pre- 
vious hazards  in  Yirginia,  to  endure  hardness  as  a  good  soldier 
of  Jesus  Christ.  "  Often  single-handed,"  says  a  brother  who 
knew  him  well,  "did  he  occupy  this  wide-spread  region.  He 
itinerated  for  ten  years  with  much  credit  to  himself  and  profit  to 
the  cause.  He  had  a  fine  constitution  and  much  bodily  strength ; 
was  as  bold  as  a  lion,  yet  meek  as  a  lamb.  In  preaching  he  at- 
tempted nothing  but  scriptural  plainness.  The  weapons  of  his 
warfare  were  wielded  with  much  power.     No  man  knew  better 


JOHN  TAYLOR.  235 

than  he  how  to  reprove,  rebuke,  and  exhort,  with  all  long-suffer- 
ing and  doctrine.  When  he  used  the  rod  of  correction  all  were 
made  to  tremble.  The  Lord  wrought  glorious  things  by  him. 
The  Elkhorn  Association  soon  increased  to  the  number  of  thirty- 
four  churches.  This  was  the  best  organized  body  of  Baptists  in 
all  the  Western  country.  In  1800,  more  than  three  thousand 
souls  were  added  to  them." 

The  same  hardships  borne  in  "Virginia  were  endured  in  his  new 
Western  home.  He  located  in  the  wilderness  in  the  midst  of 
hostile  Indians,  preaching  as  often  as  possible  to  the  scattered 
families  around  him.  He  says:  "We  had  to  pack  corn  forty 
miles,  and  then  send  a  mile  to  grind,  at  a  hand-mill,  before  we 
could  get  bread.  As  to  meat,  it  must  come  from  the  woods. 
Soon  after  I  settled  in  my  little  cabin,  sixteen  feet  square,  with 
no  floor  but  the  natural  earth,  without  bedstead,  table,  or  stools, 
I  found  that  an  old  buck  had  his  lodge  a  few  hundred  steps  from 
my  cabin,  among  the  nettles,  high  as  a  man's  shoulders,  and  in- 
terlocked with  pea  vines.  Those  nettles  the  next  winter  we  found 
very  useful  in  getting  the  lint,  and,  with  the  help  of  buffalo  wool, 
made  good  clothing  for  our  people.  I  went  many  mornings, 
,  hoping  to  get  a  shot  at  this  buck,  but  had  not  the  skill  to  get 
hold  of  him  ;  at  length  I  got  a  fire  at  him,  and  accidentally  shot 
him  through  the  hea.rt.  This  was  a  greater  treat  to  my  family 
than  the  largest  bullock  I  have  ever  killed  since,  for  he  was  large 
and  very  fat." 

Speaking  of  a  single  day's  work,  which  seemed  extraordinary, 
he  says  :  "  I  name  this  day's  work  that  it  may  be  accounted  for 
how  I  have  cleared  nearly  four  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the 
heavy  forest  of  Kentucky,  besides  making  other  improvements." 
Having  married  in  Yirginia  an  interesting  lady,  and  now  be- 
ginning to  have  quite  a  family,  he  thus  found  it  necessary,  in  this 
early  settlement  in  a  new  country,  to  toil  laboriously  with  his  own 
hands  for  their  support. 

"John  Taylor  was  one  of  the  most  efficient  preachers;  his 
judicious  zeal,  strong  faith,  and  remarkable  industry,  qualified 
him  to  be  useful  to  many  souls.  He  was  always  cheerful,  yet 
solemn,  and  Willing  to  preach  when  requested.  His  whole  de- 
meanor, at  home  and  abroad,  was  uniformly  Christian-like.     The 


236  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

labors  of  his  ministry  extended  from  Kentucky  River  to  the  Ohio. 
It  was  his  custom  to  visit  six  or  eight  Associations  every  year. 
His  great  skill  in  discipline  and  faithfulness  in  preaching  endeared 
him  to  all  the  followers  of  Christ." 

This  testimony  is  borne  by  one  of  his  surviving  coadjutors  in 
Kentucky.  Nor  is  it  to  be  considered  as  the  extravagant  eulogy 
of  a  particular  friend.  From  other  sources  this  statement  is  as- 
certained to  be  true.  Says  the  same  brother  :  "  He  was,  however, 
only  a  man,  for,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  opposed  mission- 
ary operations."  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  this  opposition 
was  the  result  of  ignorance.  He  had  failed  to  make  himself  ac- 
quainted with  the  design,  plans,  and  success  of  the  mission  enter- 
prise. His  ignorance  was  indeed  culpable,  for  it  was  his  duty  to 
examine  well  the  claims  of  these  measures.  Had  he,  with  un- 
prejudiced mind,  contemplated  the  condition  of  the  heathen 
world,  in  connection  with  the  mandate  of  the  ascended  Saviour ; 
had  he  known  what  almost  incredible  success  has  attended  the 
efforts  of  God's  people  in  foreign  lands,  his  pious  heart  would 
doubtless  have  rejoiced  with  unutterable  joy,  and  his  whole  influ- 
ence been  given  to  the  cause. 

That  this  is  true,  will  be  evident  from  the  allusion  to  this  sub- 
ject by  another  brother :  "I  mentioned  to  him,"  says  he,  " in 
1830,  that  I  wished  some  conversation  concerning  the  pamphlet 
he  had  written  against  missions  ;  when  the  aged  saint  replied  : 
'Oh  never  mind  that  thing;  let  it  sleep  in  silence;'"  so  that 
there  is  reason  for  believing  he  regretted  he  had  ever  written  so 
unadvisedly  against  the  mission  cause. 

He  removed  several  times,  but  at  length  settled  near  Frankfort, 
where  he  spent  the  remnant  of  his  days.  There  he  ended  a  long, 
useful,  and  happy  life.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  in  quite 
a  joyful  state  of  mind.  It  was  his  desire  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ.  His  removal  took  place  in  1833,  having  reached  his 
eighty-first  year. 

We  close  this  sketch  with  an  interesting  quotation  from  a  work 
he  published,  entitled  History  of  Ten  Churches.  "  The  greatest 
encouragement  I  have  found  is  from  the  Bible.  There  I  saw  the 
whole  will  of  God,  in  point  of  both  opinion  and  practice.  What 
I  saw  in  this  heaven-born  book  I  received  as  the  voice  of  God, 


JOHN  TAYLOR.  237 

and  it  was  the  invaluable  guide  of  my  whole  man.  To  this  I  ap- 
peal in  all  controversy,  and  by  this  I  expect  to  be  judged  at  the 
last  day. 

"  Of  all  the  outward  religious  duties  in  which  I  have  ever  been 
employed  as  to  conscious  satisfaction,  baptism  takes  the  lead, 
and  in  that  blessed  work  three  different  days  exceed.  The 
first  was  the  evening  after  I  was  baptized ;  the  second  was  the 
same  day,  fifty  years  after  my  own  baptism,  when  I  baptized 
a  number  of  people  ;  lastly,  on  my  birth-day,  when  I  was  seventy 
years  old,  I  baptized  eighteen  persons.  I  suppose  I  have  gone 
into  the  water  hundreds  of  times  to  baptize  others,  and  in  every 
case  a  sweet  peace  of  conscience  attended  me." 

It  is  thought  well  to  insert  a  few  brief  extracts,  written  by  him 
on  various  subjects,  as  expressive  of  his  views,  and  illustrative  of 
his  plain,  strong,  blunt  style. 

"A  barren  ministry. — Can  anything  be  more  plain,  that  the 
calls  and  invitations  of  the  gospel  are  to  be  addressed  to  all  man- 
kind ?  To  me,  it  is  evident  that  nothing  but  a  cold,  cramped, 
disobedient  heart  could  object  to  it ;  and  the  preacher  who  does 
not  practice  it,  I  know  what  o'clock  it  is  with  his  soul ;  I  consider 
him  an  apostate  from  the  gospel  spirit.  I  take  the  opportunity 
of  confessing  my  own  apostasy  in  this  case.  Of  the  fifty-four 
years  of  my  ministry  two-thirds  at  least  I  have  been  too  destitute 
of  that  tenderness  of  spirit  that  becomes  the  gospel ;  and  just  in 
proportion  to  the  coldness  and  barrenness  of  my  soul  have  I 
neglected  to  invite  sinners  to  repent  of  their  sins  and  come  to 
Christ.  With  shame  before  the  Lord  I  confess  my  apostasy 
from  a  gospel  spirit.  In  those  days  I  would  be  as  busy  as  ever, 
(for  I  was  never  considered  a  lazy  man,)  but  it  would  be  about 
trifles  :  as,  whether  Adam  was  a  natural  or  a  spiritual  man ;  when 
he  was  first  made  ;  whether  he  died  a  moral  or  spiritual  death ; 
when  he  first  sinned ;  whether  God's  election  was  so  definite  that 
it  could  not  be  added  to  or  taken  from ;  whether  regeneration 
and  the  new  birth  were  different  or  the  same  thing ;  and  many 
other  poor  trifles  of  the  same  kind. 

"The  tongue. — The  Saviour  says,  the  good  man,  out  of  the 
good  treasure  of  his  heart,  bringeth  forth  good  things,  and  the 
evil  man,  out  of  the  evil  treasure  of  his  heart,  bringeth  forth  evil 


238  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

things.  The  way  these  good  or  evil  things  are  brought  forth  is 
by  the  use  or  abuse  of  the  tongue.  A  house  of  merchandise 
hangs  out  part  of  its  wares  that  passengers  may  see  what  is  in 
the  shop.  The  tongue  is  an  expression  of  what  is  in  the  man, 
and  is  the  landing-port  of  all  the  cargo  of  the  heart,  whether  the 
lading  be  good  or  bad,  for  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the 
mouth  speaketh.  Please  examine  what  kind  of  lading  is  dis- 
charged at  tongue-port  by  you. 

"  Tenderness  toward  the  brethren. — I  have  spoken  of  Christ's 
people  as  the  apple  of  his  eye.  How  tender  a  member  is  the 
eye,  and  especially  the  apple  of  it.  Let  us  always  touch  each 
other  with  tenderness,  being  mindful  that  when  we  attempt  to 
take  a  mote  from  a  brother's  eye  we  should  first  get  the  beam 
from  our  own  While,  with  a  silken  cloth,  my  friend  proposes  to 
wipe  the  mote  from  my  eye,  let  me  take  it  kindly.  As  in  that 
case  the  eye  always  gives  its  aid,  by  the  flowing  tear,  to  remove 
the  mote  from  its  painful  location,  so  when  my  brother  comes  to 
me  in  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  eighteenth  of  Matthew,  let  me 
feel  his  touch  as  with  a  soft  hand,  and  with  a  melting  heart  and 
flowing  tears  let  me  aid  him  to  remove  the  incumbrance. 

"  Useless  professors. — The  man  that  gives  place  to  the  devil 
so  as  to  be  nothing  in  the  church,  though  nominally  a  member,  is 
what  the  devil  has  made  him,  a  mere  cipher  there.  A  hundred 
such  would  not  make  a  church  ;  a  thousand  ciphers  will  not  make 
the  number  one.  Every  way  they  turn  they  seem  to  be  nothing. 
There  is  more  trouble  to  get  them  to  fill  their  seats  in  the  church 
than  their  services  are  worth. 

"The  ivork  of  the  Spirit. — The  word  of  faith,  or  the  Scrip- 
tures, will  ultimately  overcome  the  world.  The  whole  book  of 
God  is  a  birth  of  the  spirit,  for  holy  men  of  old  spake  as  they 
were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  consider  every  good  sermon, 
exhortation,  or  prayer  to  God,  a  birth  of  the  spirit ;  the  bring- 
ing forth  of  those  gifts  the  spirit  has  bestowed  on  His  church  for 
the  benefit  of  mankind." 


WILLIAM  HICKMAN.  239 


WILLIAM  HICKMAK 

This  venerable  and  truly  useful  servant  of  Christ  was  born 
February  4tli,  IHT,  in  King  and  Queen  County,  Yirginia.  He 
professed  religion  during  those  seasons  of  ecclesiastical  violence 
when  devoted  and  useful  ministers  of  the  gospel  were  seized  and 
immured  within  the  walls  of  prisons,  and  by  various  other  methods 
most  cruelly  persecuted.  The  whole  of  Eastern  Yirginia  at  that 
period  presented  a  spectacle  of  almost  universal  suffering  among 
the  despised  Baptists.  But  the  Word  of  Grod  grew  and  multi- 
plied. In  the  County  of  Chesterfield,  while  several  ministers  were 
preaching  from  the  windows  of  the  jail,  scores  were  converted  to 
God,  among  whom  were  many  who  afterwards  stood  up  as  public 
(vitnesses  of  the  truth  ;  of  this  number  was  William  Hickman 
the  subject  of  this  memoir. 

Referring  to  the  period  when  his  attention  was  first  arrested  by 
religious  matters,  he  remarks :  "  Curiosity  led  me  to  go  some  dis- 
tance to  hear  these  babblers.  The  two  precious  men  were  John 
Waller  and  James  Childs.  _  When  I  got  to  the  meeting  I  could 
not  get  sight  of  the  preachers,  there  was  such  a  multitude  of 
people.  God's  power  attended  the  Word,  and  numbers  cried  out 
for  mercy.  I  went  home  heavy-hearted,  knowing  myself  to  be  in 
a  wretched  state.  I  informed  my  wife  what  I  had  seen  and  heard. 
She  was  much  disgusted  for  fear  I  would  be  dipped  too.  She 
begged  I  would  not  go  again,  but  I  told  her  I  must  go  and  see  them 
dipped.  I  went  the  next  day ;  and  an  awful  day  it  was  to  me. 
One  of  the  ministers  preached  before  baptism,  and  then  moved 
on  to  the  water,  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  people  moved  in 
solemn  procession,  singing.  Many  tears  were  dropped,  and  not  a 
few  from  my  own  eyes." 

He  afterwards  removed  to  Cumberland  County,  where  he  first 
heard  David  Tinsley,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  his 
time.  He  refers  in  strong  language  to  the  first  sermon  he  heard 
from  Tinsley,  from  the  passage,  "  Thou  art  weighed  in  the  balance, 
and  found  wanting."  He  says :  "He  let  us  know  how  we  are  in- 
debted to  God's  righteous  law,  and  if  we  could  live  as  holy  as  an 


240  WILLIAM    HICKMAN. 

angel  in  heaven  to  the  end  of  our  days,  he  asked,  how  are  we  to 
atone  for  all  our  past  sins  ?  Grod,  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  I  trust, 
sent  it  home  to  my  heart." 

After  various  conflicting  emotions,  he  was  led  to  proper  views 
of  the  plan  of  salvation.  When  he  could  thus  rely  on  Christ,  he 
says :  "  That  was  one  of  the  happiest  nights  I  ever  experienced  in 
all  my  life.  The  next  morning,  Avhen  I  rose  and  looked  out,  1 
thought  everything  praised  God ;  even  the  trees,  grass,  and  brutes 
praised  Grod."  He  states  that  he  "heard  no  voice,"  and  "had 
no  particular  Scripture  applied  to  his  heart."  The  thought  of 
"  sins  pardoned  through  the  atoning  blood  of  the  blessed  Saviour," 
was  the  all-cheering  ground  of  his  hope  and  joy.  He  adds:  "I 
thanked  God  for  all  his  favors.  In  the  month  of  April  I  was  bap- 
tized by  that  worthy  old  servant  of  God,  Reuben  Ford,  who  bap- 
tized my  wife  the  fall  before.  We  both  joined  the  church  after 
being  baptized. ' ' 

After  making  a  public  profession  of  religion  he  visited  the  State 
of  Kentucky,  and  while  there,  in  11 16,  according  to  Elder  John 
Taylor's  history,  he  began  to  preach.  Returning  to  Virginia,  he 
was  greeted  by  his  brethren  with  joy  as  a  herald  of  the  gospel. 
Multitudes  flocked  to  hear  the  words  at  his  lips,  and  his  message 
was  attended  with  saving  influence.  In  the  southern  part  of 
Chesterfield  County  especially,  was  his  ministry  successful;  for 
here,  in  1718,  he  was  instrumental  in  the  formation  of  Skinquarter 
Church.  He  became  their  pastor,  and  sustained  this  relation 
until  his  removal  to  Kentucky.  In  1781  the  church  called  Toma- 
hawk also  secured  his  services,  and  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  his  labors 
for  three  years. 

His  own  quaint  style  is  here  quoted,  as  descriptive  of  his  first 
visit  to  Kentucky :  "  On  the  23d  of  February,  1776, 1  started  from 
home  with  five  others,  to  wit,  George  S.  Smith,  Edmund  Wool- 
dridge,  William  Davis,  Thomas  Wooldridge,  and  Jesse  Low,  and 
in  the  back  parts  of  Virginia  we  were  joined  by  Peter  Harsten, 
Christopher  Urvin,  and  James  Parberry.  We  came  to  the  reso- 
lution, three  of  us  being  professors,  to  have  prayer  every  night. 
Our  new  companions  in  their  hearts  opposed  it,  but  submitted, 
and  behaved  well.  We  had  to  travel  over  a  small  and  miserable 
track,  over  mud,  and  logs,  and  high  waters." 


WILLIAM   HICKMAN.  241 

9 

Exposed  to  the  perils  of  sucli  a  jouruey,  he  passed  on  until  what 
is  now  called  Harrodsburg,  Kentucky,  was  reached,  on  the  first  day 
of  April.  He  speaks  of  the  town  as  having  "a  row  or  two  of 
smoky  cabins,"  and  the  men  found  there  "  with  their  breech-clouts, 
hunting-skirts,  leggins,  and  moccasins."  He  says :  "I  there  ate  some 
of  the  first  corn  meal  raised  in  the  country,  though  but  little  of  it, 
as  they  had  a  very  poor  way  of  making  it  into  meal.  We  learned 
to  eat  wild  meat,  without  bread  or  salt.  We  went  nearly  every 
Sunday  to  hear  Thomas  Tinsley  preach.  Mr.  Tinsley  was  a  good 
old  preacher ;  Mr.  Morton  was  a  good  pious  Presbyterian,  and 
love  and  friendship  abounded.  I  generally  concluded  Mr.  Tinsley's 
meetings.  One  Sunday  morning  he  laid  his  Bible  on  my  thigh,  and 
said,  'You  must  preach  to-day.'  I  took  the  book,  and  turned  to 
the  23d  chapter  of  Numbers,  and  the  10th  verse.  I  suppose  I 
spoke  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes." 

As  already  observed,  he  returned  to  Virginia  and  remained, 
toiling  in  the  ministry  with  much  success.  Concerning  his  second 
visit  to  Kentucky,  he  says  that  he  wound  up  his  affairs,  and 
started  on  the  16th  of  August,  1184.  In  preaching  his  last  ser- 
mon he  represents  it  as  a  failure,  for  he  was  entirely  unmanned. 
He  thus  refers  to  the  separation:  "There  were  a  number  of 
preachers  present,  and  a  weeping  time  it  was.  When  we  began 
our  journey  Brother  George  Smith  was  with  us,  and  assisted  us 
in  our  packages.  Several  of  our  friends  followed  us  a  day  or 
two,  and  Brother  Smith  went  to  help  us  along,  for  at  least  one 
hundred  miles.  My  oldest  son,  about  seventeen  years  old,  was 
the  best  hand  I  had.  The  other  boys  did  their  part  as  well 
as  they  could.  After  our  friend  Smith  left  us  we  were  more 
lonesome,  and  missed  his  advice  and  aid.  We  took  plenty  of  pro- 
visions, and  drove  two  milch  cows,  that  gave  milk  for  the  chil- 
dren and  my  wife's  coffee.  The  fatigues  of  the  journey  are  too 
tedious  to  mention.  We  proceeded  through  the  wilderness.  It 
rained  almost  every  day,  which  made  it  dreadful  traveling.  The 
waters  were  deep,  and  no  ferry-boats.  The  children  and  myself 
were  wet,  both  day  and  night.  I  had  written  to  George  S.  Smith 
to  meet  us.  The  night  before  we  got  in  he  came  loaded  with 
bread  and  meat.  The  next  day  we  arrived  at  his  cabin,  about  an 
hour   by  sun,  the   ninth  of   jSTovember.      Wet   and  dirty,  poor 

VOL.  I. — Q  21 


242  WILLIAM   HICKMAN. 

spectacles  we  were,  but,  thank  Grod,  all  in  common  health.  The 
Lord  was  with  us  through  the  whole  journey." 

Thus  this  servant  of  Christ,  literally  a  pilgrim,  passed  these 
weary  days  and  nights  in  the  wilderness.  Nearly  three  months 
of  exposure  to  savage  Indians,  and  all  the  other  dangers  of  the 
way,  we  need  not  wonder  how  joyfully  he  reached  the  few 
brethren  who  had  gone  before  him.  His  arrival  was  on  Satur- 
day. We  might  suppose  that  the  next  day  would  be  passed  in 
repose ;  but  no  !  he  prepares  for  the  public  worship  of  God.  He 
could  well  appreciate  the  words  of  an  inspired  writer,  "How 
amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  0  Lord  of  Hosts!"  "The  next 
day,"  he  says,  "which  was  Sunday,  there  was  meeting,  and  as 
unprepared  as  I  was,  I  had  to  preach.  Three  other  preachers 
were  there.  I  spoke  from  the  Fourth  Psalm, '  The  Lord  hath  set 
apart  him  that  is  godly  for  himself. '  I  was  followed  by  a  Metho- 
dist preacher." 

He  doubtless  could  understand  and  feel  the  purport  of  the  text 
from  which  he  discoursed,  on  that  memorable  day.  The  inspiring 
influence  of  the  sentiment  it  was  his  to  attest  by  happy  expe- 
rience. 

Referring  to  a  visit  from  John  Taylor,  he  says :  "  Brother  John 
Taylor  came  from  the  north  side  and  preached  at  a  Brother  Robert- 
son's^ William  Bledsoe  was  there.  Brother  Taylor  took  his  text, 
'  Chrict  is  all,  and  in  all.'  I  fed  on  the  food.  It  was  like  the  good 
old  Virginia  doctrine." 

Thus,  in  1Y84,  he  became  a  permanent  resident  of  the  State  of 
Kentucky.  Here  he  encountered  peculiar  trials.  The  whole  of 
that  country  was  but  sparsely  populated,  while  tribes  of  wander- 
ing savages  were  continually  making  depredations  on  the  pro- 
perty and  lives  of  the  settlers.  But  he  did  not  allow  himself  to 
remain  within  the  narrow  compass  of  the  neighborhood  in  which 
he  lived.  For  a  number  of  years,  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  he 
visited  the  frontier  settlements,  carrying  the  tidings  of  redemp- 
tion through  the  Son  of  God.  The  church  known  by  the  name 
of  the  "Forks  of  Elkhorn"  selected  him  at  that  early  period  for 
their  under-shepherd,  and  this  position  he  occupied  for  many 
years.  In  this  church  alone  be  baptized  more  than  five  hundred 
persons.    Besides  the  labor  given  to  this  church,  he  statedly  served 


WILLIAM  HICKMAN.  243 

other  cliurches  in  various  directions.  Elder  John  Taylor  states, 
that  perhaps  no  man  in  Kentucky  has  baptized  more  converts 
than  "William  Hickman. 

With  reference  to  his  labors  in  Kentucky,  as  illustrative  of  his  at- 
tendant exposures  and  trials,  a  rather  long  but  exceedingly  interest- 
ing extract  from  his  own  narrative  is  herewith  appended.  After 
describing  the  circumstances  of  a  providential  call  to  visit  a  desti- 
tute and  thinly  settled  portion  of  what  is  now  Shelby  County, 
and  the  many  difficulties  in  his  way,  he  proceeds  : — 

"We  crossed  the  river  one  at  a  time,  and  swam  our  horses  by 
the  side  of  the  canoe.  When  we  all  got  over,  and  put  our  sad- 
dles on,  the  moon  was  shining.  We  then  had  twenty  miles  to  go 
in  the  night.  Sometimes  it  was  snowing,  and  then  the  moon 
shining.  We  crossed  Benson  nineteen  times.  At  some  fords  the 
ice  would  bear  us  over,  at  other  fords  some  steps  would  bear  us, 
the  next  step  we  would  break  in.  We  continued  this  disagree- 
able road  until  we  fell  on  the  waters  of  what  was  then  called  the 
Fish  Creek.  We  passed  a  number  of  evacuated  cabins,  the  own- 
ers of  which  had  either  been  killed  or  driven  off  by  the  Indians. 
It  was  a  very  cold  night.  We  had  no  watch  along,  but  we  judged 
it  must  have  been  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  we  called  at 
the  fort  gate  for  admittance.  The  old  gentleman  was  not  at 
home,  and  the  old  lady  had  all  barred  up.  It  was  some  time  be- 
fore we  could  convince  her  who  we  were,  as  she  was  afraid  of  a 
decoy.  But  at  last  she  let  us  in.  The  weather  being  so  cold, 
she  had  given  us  out ;  but  she  soon  had  a  good  fire  raised,  and  a 
warm  supper,  or  rather  breakfast ;  put  all  to  bed,  and  covered  us 
up  warm. 

"  Early  in  the  morning  she  sent  out  runners  to  the  different 
forts,  and  about  noon  collected  one  of  the  rooms  nearly  full  of 
people.  About  two  years  before,  a  small  church  was  constituted 
by  two  old  ministers,  Brother  William  Taylor,  of  ^N'elson,  and 
John  Whitaker,  of  Jefferson.  I  believe  eight  in  number.  The 
Indians  were  so  very  bad  among  them  that  they  scattered,  and 
kept  up  no  government.  They  could  not  meet  together,  and 
nobody  preached  to  them  till  I  went  as  above  named.  I  preached 
on  Saturday  night  and  Sunday  to  nearly  the  same  people,  and 
knew  none  of  them  but  what  went  with  me.     On  Sunday  night  I 


244  WILLIAM   HICKMAN. 

went  about  a  mile  to  another  fort,  and  I  hope  the  Lord  did  not 
send  me  there  in  vain.  On  Monday  morning  I  was  to  start  home. 
This  short  visit  attached  our  hearts  to  each  other.  They  insisted 
very  hard  for  me  to  leave  them  another  appointment.  At  last  I 
consented  to  come  again. 

"  I  repeated  my  visits  to  them,  and  baptized  a  number.  The 
church  grew.  While  going  from  meeting  to  meeting,  sometimes 
twenty  or  thirty  in  a  gang,  we  were  guarded  by  the  men.  It 
looked  more  like  going  to  war,  than  to  a  meeting  to  worship  God. 
They  urged  me  hard  to  move  among  them.  I  told  them  that  re- 
quest could  not  be  granted ;  I  had  not  long  been  moved  to  Elk- 
horn  ;  I  was  attached  to  my  people  there ;  I  could  not  leave 
them  ;  besides  all,  they  had  given  me  a  little  home ;  I  felt  bound 
to  them  as  long  as  I  lived.  Buying  and  selling  never  was  my 
object.  Then  they  told  me  if  I  could  get  some  good  minister  to 
come  and  live  with  them,  it  would  be  what  they  wished.  I  told  • 
them  I  would  do  my  best  for  them.  Brother  Joshua  Morriss  had 
just  moved  to  the  country,  and  I  thought  he  would  suit  them.  I 
saw  Brother  Morriss,  told  him  the  situation  of  that  people,  and 
their  wish.  He  consulted  himself  and  family.  I  told  him  if  he 
would  take  a  tour  there,  I  would  go  with  him.  We  both  went. 
Himself  and  people  were  pleased  with  each  other.  Soon  after  he 
moved,  and  his  labors  were  much  blessed.  The  church  grew  and 
flourished ;  but  many  a  tour  I  took  with  him,  long  circuits  round, 
till  at  last,  concludhig  they  were  well  supplied,  I  gave  out  going 
so  often.  But  now  I  know  of  no  county  in  the  State  so  well  sup- 
plied as  Shelby — flourishing  churches  and  good  ministers.  Great 
changes  have  turned  up  in  thirty  odd  years.  I  went  in  front 
there,  through  cold  and  heat,  in  the  midst  of  danger,  but  my 
God  protected  me  till  now ;  blessed  be  his  name  !" 

He  lived  to  see  a  very  old  age.  In  1822  it  was  remarked,  by 
one  of  his  most  intimate  fellow-laborers,  "  Though  now  about 
seventy-six  years  of  age,  he  walks  and  stands  erect  as  a  palm- 
tree,  being  at  least  six  feet  high,  and  of  rather  slender  form.  His 
whole  deportment  is  solemn  and  grave,  and  is  much  like  Caleb 
the  servant  of  the  Lord,  who  at  fourscore  years  of  age  was  as 
capable  to  render  service  in  the  war  as  when  young.  This  vete- 
ran can  yet  perform  a  good  part  in  the  gospel  vineyard.     His 


WILLIAM  HICKMAN.  245 

style  of  preaching  is  plain  and  solemn,  and  the  sound  of  his  voice 
like  thunder  in  the  distance  ;  but  when  he  becomes  animated,  it  is 
like  thunder  at  home,  and  operates  with  prodigious  force  on  the 
consciences  of  his  hearers.  His  mode  of  speaking  is  so  slow  that 
his  hearers  are  sometimes  in  advance  of  him  in  the  subject  he  is 
discussing." 

The  testimony  of  his  intimate  friend  and  Christian  brother, 
John  Taylor,  is  worth  insertion  here  :  "  Mr.  Hickman,  in  the 
spring  of  1Y85,  moved  from  the  south  side  of  Kentucky,  and 
lived  in  South  Elkhorn  neighborhood.  A  number  of  his  chil- 
dren joined  the  church.  One  of  them,  his  son  William,  is  now 
the  pastor  of  a  respectable  church  on  South  Benson.  Under 
the  labors  of  Lewis  Craig,  Hickman,  Sen.,  and  other  visitors, 
South  Elkhorn  soon  grew  up  to  be  a  large  and  respectable 
church ;  they  put  up  a  framed  meeting-house,  not  far  from  the 
brick  one  now  standing,  and  it  was  the  first  house  of  worship  of 
any  kind  on  the  north  side  of  Kentucky.  Though  William  Hick- 
man and  I  were  not  members  at  the  same  time,  yet  we  have  been 
both  connected  with  South  Elkhorn  Church,  and  are  now 
near  neighbors.  This  man  has  had  a  large  range  in  Kentucky, 
for  here  he  has  been  a  faithful  laborer  nearly  forty  years.  He  is 
truly  a  seventy-six  man,  for  in  11 16  he  paid  his  first  visit  to 
Kentucky,  and  here,  the  same  year,  he  first  began  to  preach.  In 
early  times,  and  in  the  face  of  danger,  he  settled  where  he  now 
lives.  Eor  a  number  of  years,  at  the  risk  of  his  life  from  Indian 
fury,  he  preached  to  the  people  of  Shelby  County  and  other  fron- 
tier settlements." 

He  was  twice  married,  and  had  the  happiness  of  rearing  a 
number  of  children,  most  of  whom  became  the  disciples  of  the 
Redeemer.  One  of  his  sons  entered  the  ministry  and  has  been 
eminently  useful. 

We  approach  the  period  of  dismission  from  his  labors.  Well 
may  he  be  accounted  a  laborer  who  had  well  performed  the  duty 
assigned  him.  Something  like  twenty  churches  had  been  consti- 
tuted by  him,  and  in  a  single  year  he  had  baptized  more  than  five 
hundred  persons.  It  was  a  sublime  spectacle  to  behold  this  old  man, 
scarcely  relaxing  h'is  labors  when  he  had  reached  his  fourscore 
years.     He  says:  "I  have  nearly  come  to  the  close  of  my  poor 

21* 


246  GEORGE   EVE. 

pilgrimage.  I  am  now  in  my  eighty-first  year,  and  have  a  greater 
charge  on  me  than  ever.  I  am  called  upon  to  attend  three  other 
churches  besides  my  own,  which  takes  up  all  my  time.  But  I 
want  to  spend  my  latter  moments  to  God's  glory.  I  am  a  poor 
sinner ;  but  believing  that  the  great  Grod  knew  me  from  eternity, 
and  included  me  in  his  great  purchase,  he  called  me  by  his  spirit, 
and  made  me  willing  to  be  saved  through  faith,  and  that  not  of 
myself, — He  deserves  the  glory."  Such  were  the  sentiments  he 
breathed  in  his  declining  age,  after  a  life-long  proclamation  of 
the  blessed  gospel.  That  gospel  he  loved  as  the  foundation  of 
all  his  hope,  and  he  was  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  making 
it  knovra  to  others.  He  preached  the  Word  to  the  very  last.  He 
had  joined  his  son,  and  with  him  was  employed  in  his  cherished 
work.  It  is  said  that,  being  unwell,  he  turned  his  steps  home- 
ward, in  company  with  his  son ;  but  he  could  proceed  no  farther 
than  Frankfort,  where,  at  the  house  of  a  friend,  he  sunk  into  the 
embraces  of  death  as  tranquilly  as  a  slumbering  infant  in  the  arms 
of  its  mother.  To  the  last  he  spoke  of  Jesus.  That  name  was 
above  every  name  to  him.  In  the  midst  of  his  joyous  contempla- 
tions and  praises  he  passed  away.  This  was  in  the  latter  part 
of  1830,  he  having  reached  his  eighty-fourth  year. 

He  was  buried  at  the  Forks  of  Elkhorn.  Precious  dust !  It 
is  a  sacred  deposit,  over  which  his  great  Redeemer  watches,  and 
which  will  come  forth  again,  at  the  resurrection  morn. 


GEOPvGE    EVE. 

George  Eve  was  a  native  of  Culpepper.  He  was  born  in 
1148.  During  his  earlier  years  he  seldom,  if  ever,  heard  the 
gospel  proclaimed  in  its  purity,  until  Elder  David  Thomas  and 
others  visited  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  resided  and  made 
known  the  tidings  of  salvation.  In  1712  he  professed  religion 
and  joined  the  Baptist  church.  He  soon  began  to  exhort,  and 
afterwards  to  preach.  In  1118  he  was  ordained  and  became  the 
pastor  of  F  T  Church,  and,  when  Elder  Craig  removed  to  Ken- 


GEORGE   EVE.  247 

tucky,  of  Blue  Run,  in  Orange  County.  For  the  space  of  twelve 
years  lie  continued  to  preach  with  astonishing  success  in  Yirginia, 
and  large  numbers  acknowledged  him  as  the  instrument  of  their 
conversion.  But  in  1790  he  emigrated  to  the  State  of  Kentucky, 
and  settled  near  Georgetown.  With  his  wonted  zeal  he  engaged 
in  ministerial  duties,  receiving  the  kindest  attentions  from  those 
among  whom  he  had  determined  to  reside.  No  special  influence 
seemed  at  first  to  follow  his  ministrations;  but  about  the  year 
1800,  a  most  extensive  revival  of  religion  was  enjoyed,  to  some 
extent  the  result  of  his  exertions.  This  was  said,  by  one  of  his 
friends,  to  have  been  the  most  remarkable  period  of  his  life.  His 
success  in  winning  men  to  love  the  Saviour  exceeded  that  of  his 
whole  previous  ministerial  career.  Nearly  all  his  time  was  de- 
voted to  the  labor  of  preaching  and  exhortation. 

As  he  had  reached  an  eminence  in  popular  favor,  it  might  have 
been  expected  that  some  effect  unfavorable  to  his  Christian  tem- 
per would  have  been  produced.  But  it  was  far  othervfise.  He 
was  the  same  humble,  unassuming,  spiritually-minded  man  he  had 
always  been,  and  indeed  only  seemed  to  shine  the  more  in  those 
respects  the  more  he  received  the  caresses  of  his  brethren  and 
friends. 

In  describing  his  person,  a  brother  represents  him  as  having 
been  six  feet  high,  of  genteel  figure,  and  handsome  appearance ; 
his  eyes  were  blue,  and  his  hair  inclined  to  be  light.  lu  his 
general  mien  there  was  something  peculiarly  attractive,  which, 
united  with  his  naturally  amiable  disposition  and  his  Christiauly 
deportment,  contributed  so  extensively  to  render  him  tlie  subject 
of  popular  regard. 

Thus  Elder  Eve  continued  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God,  his 
Saviour,  until  a  very  short  period  before  his  death,  when,  painful 
to  relate,  he  allowed  himself  to  be  overcome  by  the  intoxicating 
draught.  Confession  before  his  brethren  in  the  most  humiliating 
terms  was  made,  and  he  was  forgiven,  but  again  he  was  over- 
taken. It  being  then  the  uniform  custom  to  present  the  beverage 
of.  ardent  spirits  as  a  token  of  kind  feeling,  and  moving  as  he  did 
among  the  most  refined  circles,  the  temptation  to  indulge  too 
freely  was  strong,  and  in  his  case  prevalent.  But  this  was  no 
apology  for  his  offence. 


248  JOHN   KING. 

What  a  melanclioly  lesson  does  this  teach  his  successors  iu  the 
ministry !  None  are  so  lovely  in  character,  so  respected  by  the 
world,  or  so  deeply  rooted  in  the  affections  of  the  pious,  as  to  be 
exempt  from  the  temptations  common  to  man.  And  the  Chris- 
tian minister  will  never  reach  a  point,  on  this  side  of  the  grave, 
when  he  will  not  need  to  watch  and  pray  that  he  enter  not  into 
temptation.  This  admonition  of  the  Saviour  ought  every  day  to 
be  heeded  especially  by  him,  for  if  he  fall  into  sin,  he  sins  not 
alone  ;  others  to  a  woeful  extent  are  liable  to  be  involved  in  un- 
belief, sin,  and  ruin. 


JOHN    KING. 


John  King  was  a  native  of  Brunswick  County.  The  circum- 
stances of  his  parents  were  extremely  dependent,  and  his  oppor- 
tunities of  improvement  were,  in  consequence,  scanty.  His  atten- 
tion to  religious  subjects  was  arrested  in  early  youth.  About 
1^73,  Elder  Samuel  Harriss,  with  others,  preached  in  the  neigh- 
borhood where  he  lived,  and  many  believed  to  the  saving  of  the 
soul.  A  considerable  excitement  was  the  result.  Crowds  attended 
the  ministrations  of  God's  servants,  some  curious  to  see  these  New 
Lights,  and  others  with  sincere  desire  to  hear  and  know  the 
truth.  The  ordinance  of  immersion  also,  having  been  rarely  wit- 
nessed, excited  much  interest.  A  baptismal  scene  was  the  means 
of  arresting  Mr.  King's  attention  to  spiritual  things.  He  attended 
at  Harper's  Mill  on  one  of  these  occasions,  more  for  the  purpose  of 
amusing  himself  than  to  receive  benefit;  and,  that  he  might  enjoy 
his  sport  unobserved,  he  concealed  himself  beneath  the  mill-wheel. 
But  the  Lord's  eye  was  upon  him,  and  his  laughter  was  turned  into 
mourning.  He  came  from  his  hiding-place  with  the  arrows  of  the 
Almighty  sticking  fast  in  him,  and  with  anguish  unutterable  he 
hastened  homeward.  The  night  was  passed  without  rest,  and  he 
arose  to  behold  the  sun,  but  no  hope  beamed  upon  his  benighted 
soul.  In  this  state  of  mind  he  continued  for  many  days.  All 
society  was   cautiously  avoided.     He  would  wander   for  whole 


JOHN  KING.  249 

hours  in  the  wilderness,  brooding  over  his  wretched  condition,  and 
for  some  time  no  person  knew  or  suspected  the  cause  of  his  gloom. 
It  began  to  be  supposed  that  he  was  suffering  a  temporary  derange- 
ment of  mind,  and  was  called  by  many  the  distracted  boy.  After 
concealing  his  grief  until  he  found  himself  more  and  more  miser- 
able, he  determined  to  divulge  his  feelings  to  a  Baptist  minister, 
then  in  the  vicinity  of  his  father's  residence.  The  man  of  God 
directed  him  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  went  away 
astonished  and  offended  at  the  advice  he  had  received.  That  his 
sin  was  great  he  was  willing  to  acknowledge,  but  he  could  not 
perceive  how  a  holy  God  might  accept  and  save  him  until  he 
should  become  a  holy  man.  For  this  he  was  groaning  and  striv- 
ing, and  his  heart  cherished  the  hope  that  some  method  of  making 
himself  better  would  be  recommended  by  his  spiritual  adviser.  In 
all  his  inquiries,  he  was  still  informed  that  Christ  died  for  sinners, 
and  that  he  must  be  saved,  if  saved  at  all,  by  the  mere  mercy  of 
God  through  Jesus  Christ.  At  length  his  proud  heart  yielded. 
He  saw  that  God  could  be  just,  and  yet  justify  the  ungodly 
through  Christ.  This  humiliating  truth  became  the  joy  of  his 
heart.  Wow  the  plan  of  salvation  was  beheld  in  all  its  simplicity, 
freeness,  and  fullness.  He  returned  to  see  the  minister  with  a  new 
song  in  his  mouth,  being  willing  not  only  to  rejoice  in,  but  to  ac- 
knowledge the  Saviour.     He  was  shortly  after  baptized. 

It  has  been  hinted  that  he  was  at  that  time  quite  young.  He 
soon  cherished  a  desire  to  preach  the  gospel.  For  a  long  period, 
even  after  he  began  to  exercise  his  talents  in  public  addresses,  he 
was  oppressed  with  a  fear  that  he  was  not  called  of  God  to  this 
work.  While  anxious  to  do  good  to  his  fellow-men,  he  was  ready 
to  exclaim,  "who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?"  In  this  early 
stage  of  his  Christian  career  the  Lord  laid  upon  him  his  chasten- 
ing hand.  Some  injury  was  sustained  in  one  of  his  legs,  which 
threatened  the  loss  of  life,  and  it  became  necessary  to  suffer  am- 
putation. During  this  confinement  he  was  brought  to  the  con- 
viction that  it  was  his  duty  to  preach.  He  afterwards  believed 
that  the  affliction  was  designed  by  his  Heavenly  Father  to  settle 
this  question.  The  matter  was  indeed  determined  to  his  own 
satisfaction,  and  he  was  willing  to  count  all  things  loss  for  the  ex- 
cellency of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord.     As  soon  as 


250  JOHN  KING. 

the  maimed  limb  was  sufficiently  healed,  lie  began  in  all  the  sur- 
rounding country  to  declare  the  unsearchable  riches  of  the  grace 
of  God.  Large  numbers  attended  to  hear  the  youth  with  a 
wooden  leg  preach,  and  many  who  went  from  mere  curiosity  re- 
turned to  pray.  Thus  the  trial  through  which  he  was  brought 
redounded  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  to  the  interests  of  immortal 
souls. 

After  Mr.  King's  devotion  to  the  ministry  he  applied  himself 
diligently  to  the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  His  progress  in  know- 
ledge was  rapid.  It  is  said,  that  having  married  a  woman  of 
education,  he  received  much  valuable  information  under  her 
tuition.  She  appropriated  much  of  her  time  in  affording  such 
assistance  as  he  needed.  A  great  improvement  in  his  manner  of 
preaching  was  perceptible,  and  his  influence  was  extended  beyond 
his  native  county.  He  was  for  a  short  time  pastor  of  Malone's 
Church,  in  Mecklenburg,  and  in  that  vicinity  was  quite  useful. 

A  few  years  after  his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  he  removed  to 
Henry  County,  where  he  spent  the  remnant  of  his  life.  Within 
the  limits  of  the  Strawberry  Association  he  exercised  a  command- 
ing influence,  and  was  much  beloved  by  all  his  brethren.  He 
of&ciated  as  pastor  of  Leatherwood  and  Beaver  Creek  Churches 
for  many  years.  Until  1821  he  continued  to  work  for  God,  when 
he  was  released  from  the  sorrows  of  earth  and  admitted  to  the 
joys  of  heaven.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  about  sixty- 
four  years  of  age.  The  Strawberry  Association  at  its  meeting 
in  May,  1821,  thus  notices  this  event :  "  The  Association  is 
called  with  regret  to  announce  that  our  aged  brother,  John  King, 
has,  since  our  last  meeting,  been  removed  to  the  world  of  spirits. 
He  was  long  a  zealous  and  successful  advocate  of  evangelical 
truth  in  this  district." 

Elder  King  was  a  man  of  strong  mind.  As  a  preacher  he  was 
inclined  to  be  doctrinal.  He  knew  how  to  bring  from  the  treasury 
of  the  Word  things  new  and  old.  In  Semple's  History  of  the 
Baptists,  published  in  1809,  a  reference  is  made  to  his  character 
as  a  minister  in  the  following  language  :  "  Few  men  open  their 
mouths  in  the  pulpit  more  to  the  purpose  than  Mr.  King ;  his 
language  is  strong  and  nervous  ;  his  ideas  clear  and  perspicuous  ; 
his  manner  warm  and  animating,  and  his  countenance  grave  and 


THEODORICK  NOEL.  251 

solemn.  Though  modest  and  unassuming  out  of  the  pulpit, 
when  he  ascends  the  sacred  stand  he  speaks  as  one  having 
authority ;  he  lifts  up  his  voice  and  commands  all  men  to  repent. 
His  life  has  been  an  honor  to  his  Master's  cause,  and  when  he 
has  ceased  to  suffer  here,  doubtless  his  death  will  be  glorious." 


THEODORICK    NOEL. 

"Was  baptized  (according  to  the  notice  of  him  in  Semple's 
History)  in  August,  1113,  being  then  a  young  man,  it  is  thought 
some  few  years  upwards  of  twenty.  He  shortly  afterward  began 
to  exercise  a  gift  in  the  way  of  exhortation  and  preaching,  and 
soon  became  popular  among  the  Baptists,  and  those  who  were 
attached  to  their  meetings. 

"Education  among  the  common  class  in  Virginia  was  far  from 
being  as  diffusive  at  that  period  as  it  has  since  become ;  and 
Elder  JToel's  stock  of  improvement  in  that  way  was  but  scanty. 
With  a  considerable  share  of  natural  sagacity,  however,  and  some 
degree  of  inventive  powei",  his  preaching  talent  was  held  in 
high  estimation  by  the  mass  of  his  hearers ;  though  it  was  in 
what  is  called  the  gift  of  exhortation  that  he  was  considered  to 
excel.  With  a  voice  deep-toned  and  loud,  but  not  harsh  nor  dis- 
cordant, and  a  flow  of  words  uttered^in  a  sort  of  tuneful  modula- 
tion, and  attended  with  considerable  unction,  his  exhortatory 
addresses  were  powerfully  impressive,  and  stirred  the  feelings  of 
many  of  his  auditors  to  a  high  degree.  I  have  often  witnessed 
the  effect  of  his  declamations  ;  and  my  own  early  religious  im- 
pressions were,  at  such  times,  often  excited  and  quickened. 
In  the  course  of  the  great  revival,  (as  it  has  been  called,)  in 
1188-89,  a  season  when  the  passions  were  more  freely  indulged 
in  religious  exercises  than  they  have  been  of  late  years,  it  was 
nothing  uncommon  for  numbers  in  the  congregation  to  be  visibly 
and  audibly  wrought  on  in  a  powerful  manner ;  and  this  was  more 
remarkably  the  case  under  Elder  Noel's  ministrations.  The  com- 
motion  generally   appeared   toward  the   close   of  the   sermon. 


252  THEODORICK  NOEL. 

Paroxysms  of  feeling  were  often  excited,  and  crying  out,  and 
falling  down,  were  not  uncommon.  Some  were  distressed  with 
conviction.  Some  animated  with  rejoicing.  In  this  state  of 
things,  of  course  there  was  often  loud  noise ;  but  louder  still, 
like  the  varied  notes  of  a  trumpet,  was  heard  the  thundering 
voice  of  the  preacher.  Then  it  was  that  his  peculiar  talent  was 
in  full  operation ;  while  standing  among  the  people,  or  slowly 
moving  here  and  there,  he  poured  forth  the  full  volume  of  his 
voice  in  declamation  and  exhortation  to  those  around  him,  or  in 
prayer  for  those  who  fell  on  their  knees  to  express  their  desire. 

"  The  life  of  Elder  Noel  does  not  appear  to  have  been  marked 
with  interesting  incidents.  The  'young  woman'  mentioned  in 
Semple's  History  as  the  first  person  baptized  by  Elder  Noel,  (on 
account  of  which  her  brother  made  an  assault  on  him  in  the  water,) 
was  afterwards  Sister  Goulden,  who  lately  died  at  an  advanced 
age,  a  resident  of  Caroline.  I  have  heard  her  relate  the  circum- 
stance of  the  case." 

The  above  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  devoted,  useful  minister, 
was  prepared  by  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus,  who  had  been  familiar 
with  his  whole  history.  This  testimony  was  corroborated  by 
Semple.  "Few  men,"  he  says,  "have  been  more  successful  in 
the  ministry  than  Mr.  Noel.  It  is  probable  he  has  baptized  as 
many  persons  as  any  other  preacher  now  living  in  Virginia ; 
among  them  have  been  a  number  of  preachers,  some  of  whom 
rank  high  in  the  ministry  as  men  of  talents  and  usefulness.  He 
is  now,  and  has  been  for  many  years,  pastor  of  the  Upper  King 
and  Queen  Church.  The  first  that  Mr.  Noel  baptized  after  he 
was  ordained,  was  a  young  woman.  Her  brother  promised  to  dip 
any  person  that  should  dip  her.  In  fulfillment  of  his  word  he 
made  the  attempt,  but  could  not  succeed.  Being  pursued  by 
some  of  the  wicked,  who  resented  this  treatment  of  the  preacher, 
he  was  obliged  to  make  the  best  of  his  way  off.  He  died  a  few 
weeks  after,  having  first  sent  for  Mr.  Noel  to  ask  pardon.  Mr. 
Noel's  talents  seem  singularly  calculated  for  a  revival." 

The  above  statement  respecting  the  success  of  Mr.  Noel  is  sus- 
tained by  the  history  of  the  churches  he  served,  and  by  other 
churches  in  the  Dover  Association.  He  contributed  not  a  little, 
if  not  mainly,  to  the  origination  of  Salem  Church,  and  was,  at 


IVERSON  LEWIS.  253 

different  periods,  and  for  many  years,  pastor  of  Salem,  Upper 
Essex,  and  Upper  King  and  Queen  Churches.  These  churches, 
through  his  instrumentality,  received  large  accessions.  He  com- 
menced his  pastorate  at  Upper  King  and  Queen  Church  in  1Y80, 
and  for  a  succession  of  years,  up  to  1188,  regular  accessions  were 
made.  For  two  years  from  this  period  an  extensive  revival  was 
enjoyed.  "It  was  usual  for  Mr.  Noel,"  says  Semple,  "to  baptize  at 
every  monthly  meeting;  and  for  many  months  there  were  seldom, 
if  ever,  less  than  twenty  baptized,  but  more  frequently  forty,  fifty, 
and  sixty;  many  of  them  respectable  private  persons,  and  three 
or  four  preachers." 

The  same  was  true  of  Upper  Essex  Church.  At  one  time,  in 
connection  with  his  body,  Elder  Noel  baptized  seventy  persons ; 
and  during  the  revival  of  1812,  under  his  ministry,  the  church 
letter  reported  an  increase  of  three  hundred  and  twenty. 

Thus  this  honored  servant  of  Christ  lived  and  labored.  He 
was  ready,  when  called  away  to  the  rest  of  heaven.  He  died  on 
Friday,  the  2Tth  of  August,  1813.  Pew  men  were  more  beloved 
in  life  or  lamented  in  death.  Even  to  this  day,  the  churches  he 
served  hold  his  lovely  spirit  and  zealous  labors  in  grateful 
remembrance. 


IVERSON    LEWIS. 


IvERSON  Lewis  was  the  son  of  John  Lewis,  whose  father, 
Zachary  Lewis,  emigrated  to  this  country  from  Breckwork,  in 
Breckworkshire,  Wales,  in  the  year  1692,  at  which  time  he  settled 
in  the  County  of  King  and  Queen,  State  of  Yirginia.  Iverson 
was  born  the  4th  of  March,  1T41,  at  the  family  residence  in  King 
and  Queen,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  was  educated  in  the 
established  religion  of  his  day.  When  he  attained  the  age  of 
manhood  he  considered  himself  so  pious  that  he  went  to  the 
communion-table  on  all  sacramental  occasions,  and  thought  him- 
self prepared  for  heaven.  It  had  never  entered  his  mind  that  any- 
thing more  than  a  conformity  to  the  regulations  of  the  Episcopal 
church  was  necessary  to  obtain  eternal  life,  the  Word  of  God 
being  scarcely  ever  read  by  him.    Hearing  of  a  preacher  traveling 

VOL.  I.  22 


254  IVERSON  LEWIS. 

througli  the  country  proclaiming  to  tlie  people  that  they  must  be 
born  again,  he  was  astonished,  and,  Nicodemus-like,  asked  how 
can  these  things  be  ?  About  this  time  John  Waller  passed  through 
his  neighborhood ;  he  had  heard  of  him,  and  entertained  a  con- 
temptible opinion  of  his  sentiments,  considering  him  a  wild 
enthusiast.  But  determined  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say,  he  found 
a  congregation  assembled  under  a  tree,  while  Mr.  Waller  was 
addressing  the  people  from  this  text,  "Ye  must  be  born  again." 
He  paid  marked  attention  to  the  sermon,  and  before  the  preacher 
had  concluded  he  found  his  prejudices  entirely  removed,  himself 
convinced  that  he  had  been  shrouded  in  darkness,  and,  without 
repentance  toward  God  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  he 
must  be  lost.  He  now  felt  the  horrors  of  a  guilty  conscience ; 
and,  with  a  determination  to  seek  salvation,  he  finally  received 
pardon  and  peace  to  his  troubled  spirit  through  the  blood  of 
atonement.  He  soon  considered  it  his  duty  to  endeavor  to  con- 
vince all  around  him  of  the  truth  of  that  religion  which  he  had 
before  despised.  His  efforts  were  not  in  vain,  for  many,  through 
him,  believed  and  turned  to  the  Lord  Thus,  before  his  union 
with  any  church  he  began  to  impart  the  knowledge  of  Christ  to 
others. 

Upon  searching  the  Scriptures  he  became  convinced  that  im- 
mersion was  a  scriptural  practice,  and  believers  the  only  proper  sub- 
jects; he  was  accordingly  immersed  about  the  year  17*70  or  1111. 

Although  his  talents  as  a  preacher  were  not  above  mediocrity, 
yet  he  accomplished  much;  his  ardent  zeal,  his  indefatigable 
industry,  his  unwavering  faith,  enabled  him  to  overcome  all  oppo- 
sition, and  to  make  his  way  amidst  persecutions  of  various  kinds, 
so  that  he  was  instrumental  in  spreading  the  gospel  all  around 
him,  and  of  enlisting  numbers  into  the  service  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Few  men  possessed,  in  a  more  eminent  degree,  the  gift  of  exhorta- 
tion. He  was  always  warm  and  pathetic  in  his  public  addresses. 
His  manners  were  gentle  and  refined ;  and  although  it  was  his 
common  custom,  in  public  and  private,  to  converse  with  and 
admonish  all  persons,  yet  it  has  been  observed  of  him,  that  he 
was  never  known  to  give  offence.  He  was  so  mild,  so  gentle,  and 
yet  so  dignified,  that  all  were  struck  with  his  superior  excellence 
as  a  man  and  Christian,  and  were  at   once   disarmed  of  their 


JOHN  BOWERS.  255 

enmity  to  religion,  and  felt  a  reverence  for  Ms  character.  In 
1115,  he  constituted  the  church  called  Mathews,  in  the  county  of 
that  name,  and  continued  to  visit  them  once  a  month  for  many 
years,  as  pastor,  a  distance  of  about  fifty  miles.  He  also  consti- 
tuted two  churches  in  the  County  of  Gloucester,  about  the  year 
It 90,  and  continued  to  visit  them  several  years  as  their  minister. 
The  approach  of  advanced  age,  however,  made  it  necessary  for 
him  to  discontinue  his  regular  ministrations  to  these  distant 
churches,  and  to  confine  his  labors  to  those  in  his  more  immediate 
neighborhood,  in  King  and  Queen,  and  Middlesex  Counties, 
where  he  continued  his  regular  pastoral  duties  until  December, 
1814.  About  the  latter  part  of  that  year  he  became  more  feeble, 
and  was  confined  to  bed  until  the  5th  day  of  January,  1815,  when, 
in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  mental  faculties,  with  strong  faith, 
relying  on  Him  in  whom  he  had  believed,  and  without  a  pang,  he 
gave  up  the  ghost. 


JOHN    BOWERS. 


This  devoted  servant  of  God  was  born  in  IsTansemond  County, 
in  1753;  about  1YY4  he  heard  the  gospel  preached  by  Elder 
David  Barrow.  The  Word  was  clothed  with  power  from  on  high, 
and  reached  his  heart ;  he  was  convinced  of  sin,  and  soon  became 
a  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  was  received  into  membership  by 
the  church  at  South  Quay,  and  baptized  by  Elder  Barrow,  in  11*75. 
His  warm  and  zealous  heart  was  drawn  out  in  desires  for  the 
salvation  of  sinners,  and  he  soon  commenced  holding  evening 
meetings,  in  which  he  would  read  the  Scriptures  and  exhort  the 
people  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  In  a  few  years  he  settled  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  became  a  member  of  the  church  at  Black 
Creek,  Southampton  County,  where,  in  1198,  he  was  regularly 
set  apart  to  the  sacred  work  of  the  ministry. 

After  the  removal  of  Elder  Barrow  to  Kentucky,  Elder  Bowers 
was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  Black  Creek,  South  Quay,  and 
Western  Branch  Churches,  which  he  continued  to  serve  during 
his  life.     Although  his  talents  were  not  above   mediocrity,  yet 


256  BENJAMIN  WATKINS. 

such  was  his  zeal  that  he  became  a  useful  and  quite  an  acceptable 
preacher.  He  was  seldom  known  to  preach  or  to  pray  in  public 
without  shedding  tears. 

He  was  a  great  lover  of  Associations,  and  for  many  years, 
when  present,  presided  as  Moderator.  He  was  an  affectionate 
husband,  a  tender  parent,  an  indulgent  master,  and  a  kind  neigh- 
bor, and  in  every  sphere  of  life  in  which  he  was  called  to  act  he 
proved  himself  to  be  a  man  of  God.  Having  thus  fought  a  good 
fight,  finished  his  course,  and  kept  the  faith,  he  yielded  his  soul 
to  God  his  Saviour,  October  11th,  1815,  aged  sixty-two  years. 


BENJAMIN    WATKINS. 

Elder  Benjamin  Watkins  was  born  in  Powhatan  County, 
July  5th,  1*755.  His  father  died  when  he  was  only  three  years 
of  age.  His  mother,  though  a  stranger  to  vital  godliness,  was 
not  negligent  of  the  externals  of  religion,  but  taught  him  short 
prayers,  and  endeavored  to  instil  into  his  mind  such  principles  as 
she  supposed  necessary  to  prepare  him  for  usefulness  in  this 
world.  She  maintained  a  most  rigid  discipline  in  the  manage- 
ment of  her  family,  and  required  them  regularly  to  attend  the 
services  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Benjamin  from  a  child  was 
remarkable  for  his  strict  moral  habits.  When  but  nine  years  old 
he  was  the  subject  of  serious  impressions,  which  were  banished 
from  his  mind  from  time  to  time  until  he  had  reached  his  nine- 
teenth year,  when  he  became  a  happy  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Until  this  period  he  had  not  been  accustomed  to  hear 
the  gospel  in  its  purity ;  nor  had  he,  amid  all  his  convictions,  been 
conscious  of  his  entire  guilt  and  helplessness.  With  reference  to 
his  conversion  he  says:  "I  was  brought  up  strictly,  and  often 
went  to  church,  said  prayers,  etc. ;  but  after  the  Lord  was  pleased 
to  send  his  glorious  gospel  in  our  land,  I  was  convinced  that  I 
was  a  poor  sinner,  and  could  never  obtain  rest  but  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ." 

Owing  to  strong  apprehensions  that  he  might  be  deceived,  he 


BENJAMIN  WATKINS.  251 

delayed  connection  with  the  church  for  more  than  two  years.  The 
great  adversary  knows  well  what  is  most  likely  to  deter  the  child 
of  God  from  walking  in  the  path  of  duty.  If  he  can  disturb  the 
mind  by  perplexing  doubts  concerning  Divine  favor,  and  thus 
prevent  an  active  devotion  to  the  Redeemer's  will,  his  end  is 
gained  as  well  as  when  he  can  induce  to  entire  thoughtlessness  on 
eternal  things.  Having  obtained  clearer  views  of  the  plan  of 
salvation,  and  exercised  a  more  simple  reliance  on  its  provisions, 
Mr.  Watkins  was  baptized,  September  2 2d,  1176,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  church  at  Powhatan  Meeting-house,  then  known 
by  the  name  of  Dupuy's. 

When  speaking  afterwards  of  this  event,  he  remarks :  "  I  could 
not  venture  at  first  to  give  a  relation  of  the  work  of  God,  lest  I 
should  impose  on  the  church ;  not  that  I  had  any  scruples  rela- 
tive to  believers'  baptism,  for  I  was  convinced  of  that  by  reading 
the  Word  of  God.  I  have  often  wondered  how  Christians  could 
neglect  this  plain  command  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  believe  that  the 
glorious  time  is  rolling  on  when  all  the  saints  of  God  will  see 
eye  to  eye,  when  infant  sprinkling  will  be  done  away,  with  every 
other  human  tradition,  and  Jesus  will  be  king  of  Zion  and  his 
name  one.  Then  will  all  submit  to  believers'  baptism,  and  em- 
brace each  other  in  heart  and  hand,  and  glorify  together  our 
Heavenly  Father." 

He  began  to  preach  in  1*783,  but  was  not  ordained  until  March 
19th,  1786.  The  Presbytery  which  attended  his  ordina,tion  were 
Elders  George  Smith,  James  Dupuy,  and  John  Goode.  For 
several  years  he  was  employed  in  teaching  a  school,  and  conse- 
quently was  not  then  wholly  given  to  the  ministry.  But  from 
1790,  the  greater  part  of  his  time  was  engaged  in  traveling, 
and  in  various  respects  he  was  made  a  blessing  to  the  cause  of 
Christ.  Through  him  many  were  brought  to  God,  and  churches 
established  and  enlarged.  In  prosecuting  his  work  he  was  labo- 
rious and  persevering.  He  traveled  extensively,  proclaiming 
wherever  he  went  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  It  was  his 
ambition  to  occupy  the  most  destitute  portions  of  the  Lord's 
vineyard.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  annually  performed 
tours  throughout  Chesterfield,  Amelia,  JSTottaway,  Brunswick,  and 
Lunenburg,  for  the  special  purpose  of  doing  good.     His  memory 

VOL.  I. — R  22* 


258  BENJAMIN  WATKINS. 

will  long  be  revered  by  many  in  tliese  counties.  In  liirn,  when 
almost  unsupplied  with  religious  instruction,  they  found  a  friend 
willing  to  make  sacrifices  and  endure  hardships,  that  they  might 
be  benefited.  His  regular  yearly  visits  were  anticipated  with 
unfeigned  joy  by  them ;  and  when  he  did  come,  he  came  in  the 
fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

It  is  proper  that  something  be  said  of  his  manner  in  the  pulpit. 
He  was  to  some  extent  eccentric,  though  without  seeming  to  be 
aware  of  it.  His  illustrations  and  allusions  were  homely  and 
sometimes  wanting  in  dignity.  ,-No  one,  however,  could  accuse 
him  of  intention  to  amuse.  "While  a  smile  was  almost  unavoidably 
produced  by  his  anecdotes,  he  himself  remained  grave.  There 
was  a  perfect  simplicity  in  all  he  said  and  did.  He  was  remark- 
able, too,  for  the  earnestness  with  which  be  urged  the  doctrines 
and  precepts  of  the  gospel.  His  addresses  were  generally  of  the 
hortatory  kind. 

-  Mr.  Watkins  was  peculiarly  scrupulous  in  all  his  business  trans- 
actions with  his  fellow-men.  To  "owe  no  man  anything,"  was 
a  maxim  to  which  he  rigidly  adhered  through  life.  Those  who 
name  the  name  of  Christ  cannot  be  too  punctilious  in  the  faithful 
execution  of  all  their  pledges ;  especially  is  this  true  with  regard 
to  him  who  calls  himself  a  teacher  in  spiritual  things.  There 
have  been  those  who  acted  as  if  it  were  a  matter  of  comparatively 
little  importance  to  discharge  pecuniary  obligations,  and  thus 
have  seriously  injured  the  cause  of  religion. 

His  piety  was  of  the  most  uniform  character.  It  was  the  result 
of  principle.  The  great  business  of  his  life  was  to  do  good. 
Whether  abroad  or  at  home  he  was  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom 
there  was  no  guile.  As  the  head  of  a  family,  he  always  mani- 
fested the  deepest  concern  for  their  spiritual  welfare.  Of  his  ten 
children,  nearly  all  became  the  subjects  of  conversion.  He  was 
also  an  ardent  lover  of  good  men,  and  exerted  his  influence  to 
promote  the  harmony  of  the  churches.  "It  is,"  said  he,  "a  re- 
mark of  the  wise  man,  'two  are  better  than  one,  and  a  threefold 
cord  is  not  quickly  broken.'  The  brethren  should  be  helpers  of 
each  other.  The  feeble  state  of  infants,  the  unwary  steps  of 
youth,  the  decrepitude  of  old  age,  and  indeed  the  inability  of  in- 
dividuals to  execute  business  of  agriculture  and  mechanism,  all 


BENJAMIN  AVATKINS.  259 

evince  the  utility  of  society  in  civil  life.  jSTor  are  the  arguments 
in  favor  of  union  in  religion  less  conclusive." 

Elder  Watkins  was  also  a  warm  friend  of  those  measures  which 
are  employed  by  the  church  to  spread  the  knowledge  of  a  Saviour 
through  the  earth.  In  reference  to  the  prospect  of  accomplish- 
ing this  object,  he  observes:  "The  days  in  which  we  live  are 
pregnant  with  wonders.  Are  not  these  the  days  foretold  by 
ancient  prophets,  when  the  stone  cut  out  of  the  mountain  with- 
out hands,  shall  fill  the  earth  with  the  glory  of  God  ?  Is  it  not 
the  mighty  angel  flying  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  having  the  ever- 
lasting gospel  to  preach  unto  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and 
to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  saying, 
with  a  loud  voice,  'fear  God,  and  give  glory  to  him;  for  the  hour 
of  his  judgment  is  come'  ?  In  the  distribution  of  the  word  of 
truth  are  not  party  names  and  prejudices  to  crumble,  totter,  and 
fall,  and  all  the  church  in  this  grand  work  to  become  one  ?  The 
beams  of  truth  have  begun  to  dawn  on  almost  every  land,  and 
the  Lord  is  adding  to  the  church  daily  such  as  shall  be  saved." 
In  giving  encouragement  to  these  efforts,  he  did  not  satisfy  him- 
self with  appeals  from  the  pulpit.  He  was  a  man  of  deeds  as 
well  as  words.  Regularly  every  year  he  called  on  a  friend  in 
Kichmond,  and  deposited  a  sum  of  money  to  be  appropriated  to 
objects  of  benevolence.  In  his  views  of  truth,  he  was  sound  and 
scriptural.  When  in  the  pulpit,  he  delighted  to  dwell  on  those 
doctrines  which  are  most  essential  to  be  known.  "Every  parcel 
of  truth,"  he  used  to  say,  "is  as  precious  as  the  filings  of  gold. 
A  man  may  sell  his  house,  his  lands,  his  jewels,  but  truth  is 
a  jewel  that  exceeds  all  price,  and  must  not  be  sold.  While 
error  and  ignorance  are  still  abounding  in  the  world,  while  Deists, 
Arians,  and  Socinians  are  active,  let  us,  as  the  people  of  God, 
earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Let 
us  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  watch  and  be  sober." 

It  was  the  will  of  God  that  his  servant  should  live  to  a  good 
old  age.  He  continued  to  labor  in  the  ministry  until  a  few  days 
before  his  death.  On  the  Sabbath  before  he  died  he  preached 
twice  with  his  accustomed  warmth ;  his  last  sermon  was  founded 
on  the  prayer  of  the  publican,  "God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 
This  was  with  him  a  darling  theme.     He  had  been  frequently 


260  BENJAMIN  WATKIN8. 

heard  to  say  that  this  prayer  was  suitable  to  be  offered  by  him  : 
for  he  felt  himself  to  be  a  sinner.  About  this  time  the  work  of 
the  Lord  began  to  revive  among  the  churches  of  his  charge.  For 
this  he  had  long  been  deeply  solicitous,  and  was  often  known  to 
say,  if  he  could  live  to  see  another  revival  of  religion  he  should 
rejoice  to  die. 

The  Wednesday  before  his  death  a  church  meeting  was  held  to 
receive  one  of  the  first  subjects  of  the  work,  which  was  then  be- 
ginning to  be  manifest.  He  was  too  much  indisposed  to  leave  his 
bed.  The  church  determined  to  meet  at  his  house ;  and  though 
he  was  quite  ill,  he  proposed  several  questions  to  the  candidate, 
and  manifested  a  peculiar  interest  in  the  relation  she  gave.  On 
Thursday  and  Friday  he  became  much  weaker,  and  was  conscious 
that  he  was  near  his  end.  A  perfect  resignation  to  the  Divine 
will  was  exhibited,  and  a  comfortable  assurance  enjoyed  that  he 
should  soon  be  with  Christ.  On  Lord's  day  morning,  July  17th, 
1831,  he  breathed  his  last,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

Thus  died  this  venerable  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  for  the 
space  of  forty-eight  years  had  been  employed  in  his  vineyard. 
During  this  period  he  had  preached  more  than  six  thousand  ser- 
mons, being  rather  more  than  an  average  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-two  for  every  year  he  labored  in  the  ministry. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  written  by  him  to  Dr.  Rippon, 
of  London,  will  illustrate  something  of  the  spirit  he  evinced.  It 
is  dated  Powhatan  County,  April  28th,  1800:  "Although  you 
are  a  stranger  to  me  in  person,  yet  I  hope  we  are  not  strangers 
to  each  other  in  mind.  I  wish  to  have  an  acquaintance  with  you, 
as  your  name  is  familiar  to  us.  I  have,  after  my  feeble  manner, 
attempted  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  nearly  seventeen  years, 
and  have  lived  to  see  several  revivals  of  religion  in  Yirginia,  espe- 
cially in  different  churches  of  the  Middle  District  Association. 
Before  the  late  work  commenced  wickedness  had  run  to  a  very 
great  height,  infidelity  and  irreligion  abounded  on  every  hand, 
and  professors  had  become  very  carnal ;  there  were  but  few  names  in 
Sardis  that  had  not  defiled  the  garments.  I  had  awful  thoughts 
respecting  our  condition,  and  fearing  that  some  judgment  would 
befall  our  happy  land.  But,  contrary  to  my  fears,  did  the  Lord 
visit  us  in  a  way  of  mercy,  by  first  stirring  up  the  people,  causing 


MARTIN  DAWSON.  2fil 

them  frequently  to  assemble  together,  and  carry  on  his  worship  by 
fasting  and  prayer.  The  sacred  flame  has  spread  to  and  fro,  in 
various  parts  of  Virginia,  so  that  we  may  truly  say,  'the  Lord 
hath  done  great  things  for  us  whereof  we  are  glad.' 

"Our  church  at  Spring  Creek  has  added  by  baptism,  since  the 
revival,  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  members.  Chesterfield 
Church  also  has  received  about  the  same  number,  or  more.  Pow- 
hatan Church  about  one  hundred.  Elder  Webber's  church,  called 
Dover,  belonging  to  the  Dover  District,  yet  hard  by  us,  has  added 
about  one  hundred  members.  The  work  has  been  chiefly  among 
young  people,  while  the  old,  who  have  lived  to  see  several  revivals, 
are  still  left  out,  exposed  to  Grod's  wrath.  The  Lord  have  mercy 
upon  them. 

"  Since  the  late  revival  in  Yirginia,  the  ministers  have  traveled 
more  than  formerly.  Brother  Jacob  G-regg,  one  of  the  mission- 
aries to  Africa,  paid  us  a  visit  last  January.  He  appears  to  be  a 
very  intelligent  man;  his  preaching  was  well  received  by  the 
churches.  He  lived  not  far  from  Norfolk.  My  own  home  is 
about  twenty  miles  from  Richmond,  the  metropolis  of  Yirginia. 

"I  shall  conclude  my  letter  with  the  words  of  Aaron  and  his 
sons,  when  blessing  the  people:  'The  Lord  bless  thee  and  keep 
thee;  the  Lord  make  his  face  to  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious 
unto  thee  ;  the  Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give 
thee  peace. ' " 


MARTIN   DAWSON. 

Martin  Dawson  was  an  efficient  member  of  the  Albemarle 
Association.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1144.  When  he  had 
reached  his  thirtieth  year  his  heart  was  brought  under  the  influ- 
ence of  truth  by  the  preaching  of  Elder  David  Paterson,  by  whom 
he  was  baptized.  He  at  once  began  to  preach,  though  with  much 
fear  and  trembling,  often  being  ready  to  yield  to  the  impression 
that  he  was  not  called  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  However,  he 
continued  the  practice  of  speaking  in  public,  until  it  was  judged 


262  JAMES  SHELBOURNE. 

by  his  brethren  expedient  to  urge  him  forward  as  qualified  to  fill 
the  pastoral  ofiice.  On  the  day  of  his  ordination  Ballenger's 
Creek  Church  was  constituted,  and  he  invited  to  officiate  as  their 
spiritual  shepherd. 

As  the  pastor  of  this  church  he  was  eminently  useful ;  several 
interesting  seasons  were  enjoyed,  when  converts  were  baptized 
and  added  to  the  people  of  God.  As  might  be  expected  under 
such  circumstances,  he  was  extensively  known  and  beloved  in  the 
county  where  he  labored.  For  many  years  he  presided  over  the 
deliberations  of  the  Albemarle  Association  with  much  dignity. 

Besides  the  church  called  Ballenger's  Creek,  he  served  at  dif- 
ferent times  several  other  churches.  His  talents,  though  not 
showy,  were  of  the  useful  kind.  He  did  much  good.  The  con- 
fidence of  all  classes  of  men  reposed  in  him  as  long  as  he  lived. 
During  his  last  sickness  he  conversed  freely  concerning  his  depart- 
ure hence,  and  sometimes  said,  while  he  dreaded  the  pains  of 
death,  he  had  nothing  to  fear  beyond  the  grave.  He  desired  that 
no  funeral  sermon  should  be  preached  at  his  decease.  To  the  rest 
of  heaven  he  has  doubtless  gone. 

He  married  in  early  life,  and  was  the  father  of  a  numerous  off- 
spring, for  whose  support,  by  his  industry,  he  made  ample  pro- 
vision. 


JAMES    SHELBOURNE. 

Although  the  highest  attainments  of  human  excellence  are 
comparatively  mean,  it  should  be  ours  to  "mark  the  perfect  man 
and  behold  the  upright,"  that  we  may  follow  him  as  he  followed 
Christ.  It  is  true,  that  excellence  of  temper  and  purity  of  life 
deserve  our  imitation,  though  they  be  seen  in  one  who  occupies 
an  obscure  station  in  the  church ;  at  the  same  time,  there  are  men 
in  whose  lives  circumstances  appear  of  such  marked  interest  as  to 
force  them  upon  our  attention  and  demand  our  respect.  In  no 
case  is  this  observation  more  forcibly  illustrated  than  in  the 
biography  of  Elder  James  Shelbourne. 


JAMES  SHELBOURNE.  263 

This  devoted  servant  of  G-od  was  born  in  James  City  County, 
JTovember  29th,  1138.  He  had  the  affliction  to  lose  his  parents 
in  early  life,  so  that  he  was  destitute  of  many  advantages  which 
he  might  otherwise  have  possessed.  At  the  early  age  of  seven- 
teen he  removed  to  Halifax  County,  shortly  after  which,  his  mind 
was  arrested  to  solemn  inquiry  on  the  subject  of  religion.  This 
concern  arose  from  a  sermon  delivered  by  Elder  William  Murphy, 
on  Romans,  xiv.  lY.  It  appears,  however,  that  these  convictions 
were  not  of  that  lively  character  which  produce  repentance  unto 
life,  for  it  was  not  until  IT 69  that  he  became  properly  sensible  of 
his  character  as  a  sinner,  justly  condemned  by  the  righteous  law 
of  God.  During  this  year  he  was  so  deeply  distressed,  that  for 
the  space  of  three  months  he  was  unable  to  attend  to  his  domestic 
affairs,  applying  himself  to  a  rigid  course  of  fasting,  prayer,  and 
reading  the  Scriptures.  In  a  trial  of  his  own  strength  he  was 
ultimately  brought  to  realize  his  weakness,  and  to  receive  with 
consolation  and  hope  the  atonement  of  Christ.  Having  thus  been 
delivered  from  the  kingdom  of  darkness  and  translated  into  the 
kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son,  he  made  a  public  profession  of 
attachment  to  his  cause  by  baptism,  in  1*7 TO. 

From  this  period  his  labors  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  com- 
menced. He  cherished  a  peculiar  anxiety  to  be  useful  by  pub- 
lishing the  way  of  salvation.  So  powerful  was  this  sense  of  duty, 
that  he  has  often  been  heard  to  say  that  it  would  be  as  difficult 
for  him  to  desist  from  preaching  as  to  hold  coals  of  fire  in  his 
hand  without  shrinking ;  and  that  if  he  could  not  be  allowed  to 
preach  without  a  pecuniary  sacrifice  on  his  part,  he  would  labor 
with  his  hands  six  days  to  be  allowed  that  privilege  on  the  seventh. 
This  restlessness  of  spirit  did  not  arise  from  a  wish  to  make  a  dis- 
play of  himself,  nor  from  any  visionary  or  unscriptural  impression, 
but  from  a  settled  conviction  of  the  wretchedness  of  a  world  lying 
in  wickedness,  and  of  the  boundless  sufficiency  of  Him  who  was 
made  a  sacrifice  for  sin. 

In  lYTS  he  was  ordained,  and  took  the  pastoral  charge  Of 
Reedy  Creek  Church,  Lunenburg  County,  containing  at  this  time 
thirty-six  members.  Having  thus  been  made  an  under-shepherd 
over  the  fold  of  Jesus,  he,  for  some  time,  without  realizing  his 
wishes,  manifested  a  deep  anxiety  for  the  enlargement  of  Zion's 


264  JAMES  SHELBOtTRNE. 

borders.  It,  however,  pleased  the  Lord,  who  hears  the  prayers 
of  his  people,  to  revive  his  work  in  the  bounds  of  Reedy  Creek 
Church,  when  about  fifty  were  added  to  the  Lord.  Here  we  beg 
leave  to  introduce  a  quotation  from  Semple's  History  of  the 
Virginia  Baptists  relative  to  this  circumstance : — 

"Mr.  Shelbourne  is  one  of  the  most  religious  men  living.  He 
seldom  talks  on  any  other  subject.  It  is  easily  conceived,  then, 
that  whenever  Zion  languishes,  he  feels  his  portion  of  sacred 
sorrow  expressed  by  the  Prophet  Jeremiah,  ix.  1.  It  will  also  be 
admitted,  that  of  this  mourning,  the  church  with  which  he  stood 
connected  in  the  solemn  office  of  pastor  would  share  her  full 
portion.  Such  was  the  case  for  several  years.  The  state  of 
religion  in  Elder  Shelbourne's  church  was  truly  lamentable ;  he 
felt  it  and  mourned.  God  heard  his  groans  and  removed  his 
complaints.  He  is  often  pleased,  however,  to  take  strange  ways 
(strange  to  mortals)  to  effect  his  purposes.  It  was  deeply  im- 
pressed on  Elder  Shelbourne's  mind,  that  if  he  would  make  a 
religious  feast,  or,  in  other  words,  if  he  would  invite  his  neighbors 
generally  to  come  to  his  house,  and  there,  for  two  or  three  days, 
entertain  them  with  such  as  he  had,  and  at  the  same  time  employ 
every  opportunity  in  exhorting  them  to  repentance,  etc.,  that  the 
Lord  would  thereby  begin  a  goodly  work:  he  tried  it  and  suc- 
ceeded. He  first  made  an  appointment  at  the  meeting-house, 
and  thence  invited  them,  one  and  all,  to  his  own  house.  Many 
went,  and  the  time  was  occupied  in  the  most  devout  manner; 
singing,  prayer,  exhortation,  were  all  in  their  proper  seasons 
attended  to  ;  the  heavenly  shower  descended  ;  the  souls  of  many 
were  refreshed,  and  from  that  time  the  work  went  on  to  the 
conversion  of  great  numbers." 

Besides  this,  other  times  of  refreshing  v,^ere  enjoyed  under  the 
ministry  of  Elder  Shelbourne,  so  that  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
notwithstanding  many  removals  and  deaths,  there  were  connected 
with  the  Beedy  Creek  Church  one  hundred  and  fifty  members. 
Nor  was  his  usefulness  confined  to  the  neighborhood  in  which  he 
lived ;  the  destitute  churches  belonging  to  the  Meherrin  District 
were  frequently  watered  by  his  ministrations  and  established  by 
his  faithful  advice. 

As  a  preacher  Elder  Shelbourne  was  indeed  much  and  de- 


JAMES   SHELBOURNE.  265 

servedly  loved.  His  pulpit  efforts  were  characterized  by  an 
unostentatious  simplicity,  and,  as  he  advanced  in  years,  his  head 
of  silvery  whiteness  contributed  much  to  increase  the  veneration 
in  which  his  person  was  held.  But  his  extensive  popularity  was 
not  alone  the  result  of 'agreeable  manners.  He  possessed  a 
benevolent  heart,  leading  him  to  give  frequent  and  substantial 
indications  of  good-will  to  his  fellow-men.  Such  was  the  universal 
esteem  with  which  he  was  regarded,  that  he  often  expressed  a 
fear  that  he  might  deserve  the  woe  of  those  concerning  whom  all 
men  might  speak  well.  But  while  he  was  thus  beloved  by  all,  he 
did  not  shrink  from  the  defence  of  the  humbling  doctrines  of  the 
cross.  These  were  his  glory  and  his  boast.  Especially  did  he 
delight  to  dwell  on  the  truths,  that  man  is  wholly  depraved,  that 
salvation  is  obtained  alone  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ  received 
by  faith,  and  that  the  depravity  of  human  nature  is  overcome 
only  by  the  special  and  direct  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  For 
the  long  period  of  fifty  years  did  he  urge  these  and  kindred 
doctrines  upon  the  attention  of  his  hearers. 

As  serving  to  shed  light  on  the  history  and  character  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  an  interesting  extract  will  be  subjoined 
from  the  writings  of  Dr.  Alexander,  of  Princeton,  one  of  the 
gifted  and  honored  men  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination.  This 
testimony  is  the  more  valuable  because  unsolicited.  It  is  the 
tribute  of  an  honest,  humble,  good  man,  to  the  virtuous  and 
moral  influence  of  a  kindred  spirit.  The  extract,  though  long, 
will  repay  perusal.  The  doctor  having  called  to  spend  a  night 
at  the  house  of  a  friend,  met  with  Mr.  Shelbourne  for  the  first 
time,  and  thus  speaks  of  the  interview  and  of  the  future  friend- 
ship between  them  : — 

"  Mr.  Yarborough  took  occasion  to  inform  us  that  there  was  a 
Baptist  preacher  in  his  employment  as  a  millwright,  who  would 
be  at  the  house  as  soon  as  his  work  was  finished.  Accordingly, 
about  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  an  old  man,  in  coarse  garb,  with 
leathern  apron,  and  laden  with  tools,  entered  the  house  and  took 
his  seat  on  the  stairs.  Neither  Mr.  Grrigsby  nor  I  had  ever  been 
acquainted  with  uneducated  preachers,  and  we  were  struck  with 
astonishment  that  this  carpenter  should  pretend  to  preach.    When 

VOL.  I.  23 


266  JAMES   SHELBOURNE. 

we  retired,  Mr.  Shelbourne,  such  was  his  name,  was  put  into  the 
same  room  with  us.  I  felt  an  avidity  to  question  him  respecting 
his  call  to  the  ministry,  taking  it  for  granted  that  the  old  man 
was  ignorant.  I  therefore  began  by  asking  him  what  he  con- 
sidered a  call  to  the  ministry.  Mr.  SheH)ourne  perceived  the  drift 
of  my  question,  and,  instead  of  giving  a  general  answer,  proceeded 
to  a  narrative  of  his  own  experience,  and  to  state  the  circum- 
stances which  led  him  to  suppose  that  Grod  had  called  him  to  be 
a  preacher.     The  substance  of  his  story  was  as  follows  : — 

" '  I  was  born  in  one  of  the  lower  counties  of  Yirginia,  and, 
v/hen  young,  was  put  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade.  Until  I  was 
a  man  grown  and  had  a  family,  I  never  heard  any  preaching  but 
from  ministers  of  the  established  church,  and  did  not  even  know 
that  there  were  any  others.  About  this  time  came  into  the 
neighborhood  a  Presbyterian  minister  by  the  name  of  Martin, 
whom  I  went  to  hear ;  and,  before  he  was  done,  I  was  convinced 
that  I  was  in  a  lost  and  undone  condition.  He  made  no  stay, 
and  I  heard  no  more  of  him.  But  a  wound  had  been  left  in  my 
conscience  which  I  knew  not  how  to  get  healed,  and  no  one  about 
me  could  give  any  valuable  advice  as  to  a  cure.  I  went  from 
day  to  day  under  a  heavy  burden,  bewailing  my  miserable  state, 
till  at  length  my  distress  became  so  great  that  I  could  neither  eat 
nor  sleep  with  any  peace  or  comfort.  My  neighbors  said  I  was 
falling  into  melancholy  or  going  mad,  but  not  one  of  them  had  any 
knowledge,  from  experience,  of  the  nature  of  my  distress.  Thus 
I  continued  mourning  over  my  miserable  case  for  weeks  and 
months.  I  was  led,  however,  to  read  constantly  in  the  Bible ; 
but  this  rather  increased  than  lessened  my  distress ;  until  one 
Sunday  evening  I  saw,  as  clearly  as  I  ever  saw  anything,  how  I 
could  be  saved  through  the  death  of  Christ.  I  was  filled  with 
comfort,  and  yet  sorrow  for  my  sins  flowed  more  copiously  than 
ever.  I  praised  God  aloud,  and  immediately  told  my  wife  that  I 
had  found  salvation  ;  and  when  any  of  my  neighbors  came  to  see 
me  I  told  them  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and  what  he  had  done  for 
my  soul,  and  how  he  had  pardoned  all  my  sins.  As  1  spoke  freely 
of  the  wonderful  change  I  had  experienced,  it  was  soon  noised 
abroad,  and  many  came  to  see  me,  and  to  hear  an  account  of  the 
matter  from  my  own  mouth. 


JAMES  SHELBOURNE.  26t 

" '  On  Sabbath  evenings  my  house  would  be  crowded,  and  when 
I  had  finished  my  narrative  I  was  accustomed  to  give  them  a  word 
of  exhortation.  And  as  I  could  be  better  heard  when  standing, 
I  stood  and  addressed  my  neighbors,  without  any  thought  of 
preaching.  After  proceeding  for  some  time  in  this  way,  I  found 
that  several  others  began  to  be  awakened  by  what  they  heard 
from  me,  and  appeared  to  be  brought  through  the  new  birth 
much  as  I  had  been.  This  greatly  encouraged  me  to  proceed  in 
my  work,  and  God  was  pleased  to  bless  my  humble  labors  to  the 
conversion  of  many.  All  this  time  I  did  no  more  than  relate  my 
own  experience,  and  then  exhort  my  neighbors  to  seek  unto  the 
Lord  for  mercy. 

"  '  Thus  was  I  led  on  from  step  to  step,  until  at  length  I  actu- 
ally became  a  preacher,  without  intending  it.  Exercised  persons 
would  frequently  come  to  me  for  counsel,  as  I  had  been  the  first 
among  them  to  experience  the  grace  of  God  ;  and  that  I  might 
be  able  to  answer  their  questions  I  was  induced  to  study  the  Bible 
continually ;  and  often  while  at  work  particular  passages  would 
be  opened  to  my  mind,  which  encouraged  me  to  hope  that  the 
Lord  had  called  me  to  instruct  those  that  were  more  ignorant 
than  myself;  and  when  the  people  would  collect  at  my  house  I 
explained  to  them  those  passages  which  had  been  opened  to  my 
mind.  All  this  time  I  had  no  instruction  in  spiritual  matters 
from  any  man,  except  the  sermons  which  I  heard  from  Mr.  Mar- 
tin. But  after  a  few  years  there  came  a  Baptist  preacher  into 
our  neighborhood,  and  I  found  that  his  doctrine  agreed  substan- 
tially with  my  experience,  and  with  what  I  had  learned  out  of  the 
Bible.  I  traveled  about  with  him,  and  was  encouraged  by  him  to 
go  on  in  the  exercise  of  my  gift  of  public  speaking,  but  was  told 
by  him  that  there  was  one  duty  which  I  was  required  to  perform, 
wliich  was  that  I  should  be  baptized  according  to  the  command 
of  Christ.  And  as  we  rode  along  we  came  to  a  certain  watei', 
and  I  said,  See,  here  is  water,  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  bap- 
tized ?  Upon  which  we  both  went  down  into  the  water,  and  he 
baptized  me  by  immersion,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost.  From  that  time  I  have  continued  until  this, 
day,  testifying  to  small  and  great,  to  white  and  black,  repentance 
toward  God  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and  not  without 


268  JAMES   SHELBOURNE. 

the  pleasure  of  seeing  many  sinners  forsaking  their  sins  and  turn- 
ing unto  God. 

'"'Now,'  said  he,  'you  have  heard  the  reasons  which  induce 
me  to  believe  that  God  has  called  me  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the 
poor  and  ignorant.  I  never  consider  myself  qualified  to  instruct 
men  of  education  and  learning.  I  have  always  felt  badly  when 
such  have  come  to  hear  me.  But  as  for  people  of  my  own  class, 
I  believed  that  I  could  teach  them  many  things  which  they  needed 
to  know  ;  and,  in  regard  to  such  as  had  become  pious,  I  was  able, 
by  study  of  the  Bible  and  meditation,  to  go  before  them,  so  that 
to  them  also  I  could  be  in  some  measure  a  guide.  I  lament  my 
want  of  learning,  and  am  deeply  convinced  that  it  is  useful  to  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel ;  but  it  seems  to  me  that  there  are  different 
gifts  now  as  of  old,  and  one  man  may  be  suited  to  one  part  of  the 
Lord's  work,  and  another  to  another  part.  And  I  do  not  know 
but  that  poor  and  ignorant  people  can  understand  my  coarse  and 
familiar  language  better  than  the  discourses  of  the  most  learned 
and  eloquent  men.  I  know  their  method  of  thinking  and  reason- 
ing, and  how  to  make  things  plain  by  illustrations  and  compari- 
sons adapted  to  their  capacities  and  their  habits.' 

"When  the  old  millwright  had  finished  his  narrative  I  felt  much 
more  inclined  to  doubt  my  own  call  to  the  ministry  than  that  of 
James  Shelbourne.  Much  of  the  night  was  spent  in  this  conver- 
sation, w^hile  my  companion  was  enjoying  his  usual  repose.  We 
talked  freely  about  the  doctrines  of  religion,  and  were  mutually 
gratified  at  finding  how  exactly  our  views  tallied.  From  this 
night  James  Shelbourne  became  an  object  of  my  high  regard,  and 
he  gave  abundant  testimony  of  his  esteem  for  me.  Whenever  I 
visited  that  part  of  the  country  he  was  wont  to  ride  many  miles 
to  hear  me  preach,  and  was  pleased  to  declare  that  he  had  never 
heard  any  of  the  ministers  of  his  own  denomination  with  whose 
opinions  he  could  so  fully  agree  as  with  mine.  I  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  hearing  him  preach  several  times,  and  was  pleased  not 
only  with  the  soundness  of  his  doctrine  but  the  unaffected  sim- 
plicity of  his  manner.  His  discourses  consisted  of  a  series  of 
^  judicious  remarks,  expressed  in  the  plainest  language  and  in  a 
conversational  tone,  until  he  became  by  degrees  warmed  by  his 
subject,  when  he  fell  into  a  singing  tone,  but  nothing  like  what 


JAMES   SHELBOURNE.  269 

was  common  with  almost  all  Baptist  preachers  of  the  country  at 
that  time.  As  he  followed  his  trade  from  day  to  day,  I  once 
asked  him  how  he  found  time  to  study  his  sermons  ;  to  which  he 
replied,  that  he  could  study  better  at  his  work,  with  his  hammer 
in  his  hand,  than  shut  up  and  surrounded  with  books.  When  he 
had  passed  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age  he  gave  up  work,  and 
devoted  himself  entirely  to  preaching.  Being  a  man  of  firm 
health,  he  traveled  to  a  considerable  distance  and  preached  nearly 
every  day.  On  one  of  these  tours,  after  I  was  settled  in  Char- 
lotte County,  I  saw  him  for  the  last  time.  The  old  man  appeared 
to  be  full  of  zeal  and  love,  and  brought  the  spirit  of  the  gospel 
into  every  family  which  he  visited.  He  was  evidently  ripening 
for  heaven,  and  accordingly,  not  long  after,  he  finished  his  course 
with  joy." 

These  things  are  not  said  to  give  false  views  of  human  nature, 
but  to  present  as  worthy  of  universal  and  habitual  imitation  the 
virtues  that  adorned  his  character.  Neither  is  it  wished  to  present 
him  as  living  unconscious  of  imperfections.  These  doubtless  he 
felt,  and  realized  his  daily  need  of  the  purifying  blood  of  Jesus. 
But  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  know  how  this  man  of  God 
was  supported  in  his  last  hours.  He  was  confined  to  his  bed  but 
a  short  time,  and  throughout  his  illness  maintained  the  most  un- 
wavering trust  in  the  atonement  of  Christ.  He  met  the  terrific 
monster,  not  with  the  philosophy  of  a  Stoic,  but  with  the  resig- 
nation and  cheerfulness  of  a  Christian.  While  on  his  death-bed 
he  used  every  possible  means  to  fortify  his  aged  and  amiable  com- 
panion against  the  trying  scene,  by  telling  her  not  to  grieve  at  his 
approaching  dissolution,  as  they  had  been  favored  to  live  together 
so  many  years,  and  that  it  would  not  be  long  before  they  would 
meet  again  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  eternal  rest. 

Although  he  was  blessed  with  a  competency  of  earthly  good, 
no  dissatisfaction  was  expressed  at  leaving  it  behind  ;  his  anxieties 
seemed  to  run  out  toward  the  church,  whose  interests  he  was  about 
to  leave  in  the  care  of  others.  A  short  time  before  his  death  he 
addressed  himself  to  his  son  Silas  (who  previously  had  com- 
menced the  work  of  the  ministry)  in  a  most  impressive  and 
affectionate  manner.  "  Oh,  my  son,"  said  he,  "  the  church  lies 
heavy,  very  heavy  on  my  mind.     I  foar  that  a  cold  and  trying 


270  JAMES   SHELBOURNE. 

time  is  approaching,  and  tliat  many  will  be  seeking  a  more 
fashionable  religion.  Watch  over  their  souls  as  one  who  must 
give  an  account  to  God,  and  keep  yourself  unspotted  from  the 
world.  Do  not  aspire  after  men  of  great  swelling  words,  but 
study  the  Scriptures,  preaching  the  gospel  in  its  simplicity ;  be 
meek,  lowly,  and  unassuming  in  your  manners,  with  all  holy  con- 
versation, as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Never  aim  at  things 
too  deep  and  incomprehensible  for  mortals  to  know,  remembering 
that  there  is  as  much  made  plain  as  it  is  the  will  of  our  Heavenly 
Father  we  should  know;  for  secret  things  belong  to  God,  and 
things  that  are  revealed  belong  to  us.  Throughout  life,  what 
difficulties  soever  you  may  have  to  encounter,  never  return  railing 
for  railing,  but  contrariwise,  in  doing  which  you  will  overcome  ten 
where  you  will  one  by  any  other  method." 

It  may  be  proper  here  to  give  an  extract  from  the  record  of  the 
Reedy  Creek  Church  book,  which  was  made  shortly  after  his 
death,  evincing  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  brethren 
in  Christ : — 

"On  Monday,  March  6th,  1820,  departed  this  life,  at  his  seat 
in  Lunenburg  County,  in  his  eighty-third  year.  Elder  James  Shel- 
bourne,  who  had  been  the  diligent  and  affectionate  pastor  of  this 
churcli  about  forty-five  years.  The  last  sermon  he  preached  was 
on  the  first  Lord's  day  in  February  last,  from  Luke,  xxix.  30.  In 
this  discourse  he  had  much  freedom,  and  it  was  thought  by  many 
of  his  brethren  to  be  the  best  sermon  they  had  ever  heard  him 
deliver.  On  the  monthly  meeting  in  February  we  received  his 
last  visit,  and  being  very  unwell  he  did  not  preach,  but  delivered 
a  short  exhortation,  stating  to  his  congregation  at  the  same  time 
that  he  never  expected  to  address  them  more  in  this  world  ;  then 
committing  the  church  to  the  Lord,  he  returned  home,  from  which 
time  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  until  his  death.  The  day  follow- 
ing, many  of  his  friends  having  heard  that  his  dissolution  seemed 
to  be  fast  approaching,  visited  him.  He  conversed  with  them  as 
much  as  the  depressed  state  of  his  respiration  would  admit.  To 
some  of  his  young  brethren  he  spoke  with  peculiar  energy,  and 
seemed  to  enjoy  the  most  peaceful  resignation  to  the  will  of  his 
Heavenly  Father.  Before  his  last  illness  he  often  said,  that  when 
he  desired  to  realize  death  nature  shrunk,  biit  now  it  was  quite 


JAMES   SIIELBOURNE.  2T1 

otherwise ;  he  was  no  more  afraid  of  dying  than  living,  yet  he 
did  not  wish  to  die  sooner  nor  live  longer  than  it  was  the  will  of 
his  adorable  Creator. 

"  Shortly  before  his  death  he  seemed  to  have  some  difficulty  in 
breathing,  and  remarked,  that  the  grace  of  God  had  always  been 
sufficient  for  him,  and  always  would  be  to  his  dying  moments. 
One  night  he  observed  to  one  of  his  friends  that  he  doubted 
whether  he  should  live  to  see  the  morning-light ;  being  asked 
whether  he  felt  resigned,  he  replied,  '  Perfectly,  perfectly  !  I  have 
no  more  doubt  of  Divine  favor  than  I  have  of  my  existence  ; 
I  could  say,  come.  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly ;  but  I  feel  resigned 
to  wait  his  good  pleasure  ;  therefore,  all  my  appointed  time  will 
I  wait,  until  my  change  come.' 

"During  the  whole  of  his  illness  he  enjoyed  the  exercise  of  his 
reason,  and  was  often  heard  to  say,  that  he  would  not  turn  his 
hand  to  have  his  evidences  brighter  or  his  hope  and  confidence 
stronger.  He  seemed  to  have  nothing  to  ask.  A  short  space 
before  his  death  he  lost  his  speech,  and  about  half-past  five 
o'clock  this  shining  light  was  extinguished.  While  dying  he 
raised  one  hand  toward  heaven,  and  seemed,  from  his  gestures, 
to  be  perfectly  sensible  and  anxious  to  let  all  around  him  know 
that  he  was  about  to  ascend  to  glory,  for  which  event  his  life  had 
been  one  constant  preparation. 

"By  this  dispensation  of  Providence  this  church  is  bereaved 
of  an  under-shepherd  whom  they  dearly  loved.  Salvation  by  the 
cross  of  Christ,  independent  of  human  woi'thiness,  was  the  dar- 
ling theme  of  his  ministry.  Doctrinal  truth  he  considered  as  the 
only  foundation  of  evangelical  obedience,  and  maintained  that 
notions  of  religion,  however  correct,  would  prove  of  no  avail,  any 
further  than  their  sanctifying  influence  was  felt  on  the  heart,  and 
evidenced  by  a  holy  walk  and  conversation.  His  ov/n  exemplary 
conduct  was  a  striking  instance  of  the  power  of  those  doctrines 
he  believed  and  taught.  Integrity  and  uprightness  were  traits  in 
Iiis  character  acknowledged  by  all  who  knew  him  ;  he  possessed 
a  noble  disinterestedness  of  spirit,  seeking  not  ours  but  us :  he 
was  truly  our  servant  for  Jesus'  sake.  We  arc  left  without  our 
teacher  and  guide;  our  father  and  friend  is  no  more  ;  we  shall  no 
more  witness  on  earth  tlie  fervor  of  his  zeal,  nor  the  ardor  of  his 


272  JOHN  WRIGHT. 

piety,  nor  hear  the  sound  of  salvation  from  his  impressive  lips. 
The  hand  that  so  often  broke  to  us  the  bread,  and  poured  out  to 
us  the  wine  in  commemoration  of  our  Lord,  is  now  cold  in  death. 
As  a  church  we  are  sorrowing  that  we  shall  see  his  face  no  more, 
and  yet  thankful  to  God  that  he  was  so  long  spared  to  go  in  and 
out  before  us.  He  still  lives  in  our  memories  and  in  our  hearts, 
and  we  trust  his  precepts  and  examples  will  never  be  forgotten 
by  us.  We  should  feel  ourselves  wanting  in  justice  to  his  memory 
did  we  not  inscribe  on  the  records  of  this  church  our  testimony  to 
departed  worth,  for  of  him  it  might  be  said,  '  He  walked  with 
God.'" 

In  reviewing  the  life  of  such  a  man  it  becomes  every  lover  of 
Zion  to  pray  to  God  that  our  young  ministers  may  be  faithful 
unto  death,  and  that  many  more  may  be  raised  up  thus  to  labor 
in  his  vineyard. 


JOHN   WRIGHT. 

John  Wright  became  a  convert  to  the  service  of  the  Redeemer 
under  the  preaching  of  Elder  Elijah  Baker,  in  York  County, 
and  was  baptized  by  him  in  lt16.  He  began  at  once  to  preach 
the  gospel  himself,  and  having  satisfied  his  brethren  that  he  pos- 
sessed the  requisite  qualifications,  he  was  ordained,  and  in  ITYT 
became  the  pastor  of  Grafton  Church,  York  County.  "Mr. 
Wright,"  says  Mr.  Semple,  "was  a  blessed  man  of  God.  He 
was  faithful  to  occupy  his  talents.  No  man  could  find  him  out 
of  his  place ;  he  lived  and  died  a  pious  Christian,  and  a  faithful 
as  well  as  useful  minister  of  Christ.  He  was  a  poor  man  and  had 
a  family  to  support,  which  prevented  him  from  being  as  exten- 
sively useful  as  he  probably  would  have  been  under  more  favorable 
circumstances :  but  his  vineyard,  though  small,  was  well  kept ;  his 
duty  was  his  delight.  In  discipline  he  was  tender,  yet  vigilant 
and  impartial.   He  died  about  1*795,  much  regretted  by  all  classes." 


WILLIAM  CLOPTON.  213 


WILLIAM   CLOPTON. 

Elder  William  Clopton,  the  only  child  of  Walter  Clopton, 
was  born  in  New  Kent  County,  in  1761.  At  an  early  age  his 
parents  were  removed  by  death,  and  he  was  placed  in  the  care  of 
an  uncle  who  became  his  guardian.  By  some  means  the  property 
to  which  he  was  heir  having  been  lost,  his  education  was  much 
neglected.  He  was  simply  taught  the  common  branches  of  learn- 
ing, and  apprenticed  to  the  wheelwright  business.  Before  the  age 
of  twenty-one  he  intermarried  with  Elizabeth  Clark,  and,  abandon- 
ing his  mechanical  employment,  became  a  farmer. 

About  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  embraced  religion  and 
united  with  the  Methodist  church.  On  examination  he  became 
convinced  that  it  was  his  duty  to  be  immersed,  and  determined 
forthwith  to  deny  himself  and  follow  his  Master  into  the  liquid 
grave.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Elijah  Baker,  near  the  close 
of  the  revolutionary  war.  About  this  time  Charles  City  Church 
was  constituted,  of  which  Elder  Clopton  became  a  member.  He 
was  appointed  clerk  of  the  church,  and  after  the  expiration  of 
several  years  was  called  to  the  deaconry.  This  last  office  he 
filled  with  great  propriety  and  usefulness.  In  1804  they  lost  their 
pastor  by  death,  and  the  duty  of  conducting  all  their  social  meet- 
ings devolved  on  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  He  took  occasion 
to  exhort  his  brethren  and  to  urge  on  them  the  faithful  execution 
of  their  various  duties.  The  church  were  soon  convinced  that  he 
ought  to  be  encouraged  in  the  exercise  of  his  gifts.  He  con- 
tinued to  exhort,  and  occasionally  to  expound  the  Scriptures, 
until  1808,  when,  by  request  of  the  church,  he  consented  to  pre- 
side over  them  as  their  under-shepherd. 

Though  Elder  Clopton  was  never  distinguished  by  vigor  of  in- 
tellect or  extent  of  information,  and  although  his  success  in  the 
conversion  of  souls  was  not  extensive,  he  was,  nevertheless,  very 
useful.  As  a  pastor  he  was  zealous  and  faithful.  The  people  of 
his  charge  esteemed  him  highly ;  for  his  works'  sake  he  deserved 
their  esteem.  By  all  who  knew  him  he  was  generally  respected, 
both  as  a  pious  man  and  a  preacher.     Toward  the  close  of  life 

VOL.  X. — s 


2t4  JOHN  GOODE. 

he  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  missionary  labor  among  the  des- 
titute churches  in  the  surrounding  counties. 

A  short  time  before  his  death  efforts  among  the  Baptists  were 
commenced  to  send  abroad  the  gosijel  of  the  Son  of  God.  He 
was  much  interested  in  these  plans,  and  to  the  extent  of  his  in- 
fluence encouraged  them. 

He  was  removed  from  the  church  on  earth  to  the  general 
assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born  ia  heaven,  January  18th, 
1816.  Five  days  previous  he  saw  the  companion  of  his  life 
breathe  her  last.  On  the  day  of  her  interment  he  was  attacked 
with  an  epidemic  fever,  which,  in  a  short  time,  brought  him  down 
to  the  grave.  He  died  as  he  lived.  Christ  was  his  stay  and 
his  joy.  With  great  earnestness  he  exhorted  his  friends  to 
prepare  for  a  happier  meeting  in  a  better  world.  His  attendant 
physician  was  much  struck  with  the  scene  of  his  death-bed,  and 
frequently  remarked  he  had  never  beheld  so  much  composure  in 
the  trying  hour.  He  left  six  children,  one  of  whom,  Elder  James 
Clopton,  succeeds  him  in  the  pastoral  office,  and  labors  much  in 
the  region  between  Richmond  and  Williamsburg. 


JOHN   GOODE. 


Elder  John  Goode  was  born  near  Four  Mile  Creek,  Henrico, 
March,  1138.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  removed  to  the 
County  of  Chesterfield,  where  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Sarah  Brown.  Some  time  in  1Y78  Elder  William  Hickman 
preached  in  the  neighborhood,  and  Mr.  Goode  attended  his  minis- 
try. The  truth  reached  his  heart,  and  such  was  his  distress  of 
mind  that  for  some  time  he  was  unable  to  attend  to  his  worldly 
business.  In  communicating  his  feelings  to  his  companion,  he 
expressed  the  belief  that  he  should  be  forever  lost ;  he  saw  no  way 
of  escape  for  such  a  sinner  as  he  felt  himself  to  be ;  but,  to  his 
great  surprise,  when  hope  was  almost  gone,  the  Lord  appeared  in 
mercy  for  his  relief:  his  burdened  soul  was  made  to  rejoice  in  the 
atoning  blood  of  Christ.  He  called  on  all  around  to  join  him 
in  praising  God.    His  confidence  was  so  great  that  he  thought  he 


JOHN   ASPLUND.  ^<jp, 

could  convince  every  one  of  the  value  of  the  gospel ;  and  went 
from  house  to  house,  declaring  what  great  things  the  Lord  had 
done  for  him.  He  was  baptized,  and  joined  Skinquarter  Church, 
in  IT "7 8;  he  soon  began  to  hold  meetings  and  to  lead  in  exhorta- 
tion and  prayer.  Before  many  months  had  elapsed  he  engaged 
in  preaching  the  gospel,  and  having  been  approved  by  the  church, 
was  ordained  June  18th,  1*780;  Elders  Reuben  Ford,  John  Du- 
puy,  Eleazer  Clay,  and  William  Hickman  constituted  the  ordain- 
ing presbytery.  The  church  of  which  he  was  a  member  being 
destitute  of  a  pastor,  unitedly  elected  him  to  that  office.  He 
accepted  the  invitation,  and  labored  with  them  until  his  death. 

Elder  Goode  had  not  the  advantage  of  an  early  education ;  at 
the  time  of  his  birth  opportunities  for  obtaining  useful  information 
were  enjoyed  by  few.  He  was,  however,  very  zealous  and  faithful 
in  his  Master's  cause.  His  labors  were  extensively  blessed  in  the 
salvation  of  sinners,  and  in  building  up  the  church.  He  not  only 
preached  in  his  own  immediate  vicinity,  but  in  various  parts  of 
the  country.  There  are  a  few  still  living  who  remember  the  zeal 
and  fidelity  with  which  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer  was  advocated 
by  him. 

Of  his  sixteen  children,  eleven  became  hopefully  pious,  and 
united  themselves  with  the  Baptist  Church.  One  of  his  sons 
entered  the  ministry.  Like  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe,  this  aged 
servant  of  the  Lord  was  gathered  unto  his  fathers,  the  12th  of  June, 
1*790.  His  death  was  peaceful.  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints. 


JOHIS"    ASPLTJND. 


John  Asplund  was  a  Swede  by  birth.  Being  devoted  in  early 
life  to  mercantile  pursuits,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  business 
he  visited  England  about  ITTS,  and  there,  for  a  short  time,  ob- 
tained employment  as  a  clerk.  He  then  became  connected  with 
the  British  navy,  and,  while  on  the  American  coast,  deserted  and 
settled  in  North  Carolina.  There  he  became  pious,  and  about 
1*782  was  immersed  by  David  Walsh,  and  united  with  Ballard's 


276  JOHN    ASPLUND. 

Bridge  Church,  Chowan  County.  He  afterwards  removed  to 
Southampton,  Yirginia,  and  commenced  the  ministry.  In  IT 85 
he  returned  to  Europe,  and  visited  England,  Denmark,  Finland, 
Lapland,  and  Germany.  On  his  arrival  in  America,  he  traveled 
through  the  States,  collecting  statistical  information  concerning 
the  Baptist  denomination.  In  1791  he  published  a  small  folio 
volume  as  the  result  of  his  efforts.  It  contains  many  valuable 
facts.     Introducing  this  work  to  his  readers,  he  remarks : — 

"I  have  long  been  desirous,  and  have  waited  several  years,  to 
see  a  publication  of  the  nature  of  the  following.  And  though  I 
was  sensible  I  could  publish  nothing  of  the  kind  without  the 
fatigue  and  expense  of  traveling  over  the  greatest  part  of  the  con- 
tinent, yet,  at  the  request  of  many,  I  have  been  prevailed  upon  to 
make  the  tour  of  the  Baptist  churches,  to  obtain  the  necessary 
information.  With  a  view  to  this,  I  have  traveled  about  7000 
miles  in  about  eighteen  months,  chiejly  on  foot,  and  have  visited 
about  two  hundred  and  fifteen  churches,  and  fifteen  Associations. 
I  am  personally  acquainted  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  ministers 
of  our  society,  so  that  the  Register  may  safely  be  depended  upon 
in  general,  though  after  all,  perhaps,  a  few  churches  and  ministers 
may  be  omitted.  It  is  probable,  also,  that  the  number  of  mem- 
bers in  some  churches  may  not  be  exact,  as  some  do  not  associate ; 
others  who  do,  neglect  to  send  forward  their  number ;  and  some 
make  conscience  of  numbering  the  people. 

"Having  been  brought  up  with  a  view  to  the  business  of  mer- 
chandise, I  have  been  accustomed  to  keeping  accounts;  and  I 
now  prefer  accounts  of  souls  with  their  faces  set  Zionward,  to 
those  which  only  respect  money  or  trade.  I  have  a  natural  turn 
for  traveling,  and  I  am  convinced  I  could  not  better  spend  my 
time  than  in  itinerating  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  to  collect  mate- 
rials which  may  assist  the  future  historian;  and  though  I  have 
met  with  many  discouragements  from  narrow-minded  persons, 
whose  illiberal  souls  are  not  concerned  for  the  public  welfare, 
[  appeal  to  the  Searcher  of  hearts,  that  my  principal  design  is  to 
make  the  Baptists  better  acquainted  with  each  other,  that  union 
may  more  generally  obtain  among  them. 

JOHN  ASPLUND,  a  Swede. 

Southampton  County,  Yibginia,  July  14,  1791." 


EPHRAIM  ABEL.  27T 

He  published  another  Register  in  1194,  when  he  traveled 
10,000  miles,  and  became  acquainted  with  TOO  Baptist  ministers. 
His  talents  as  a  speaker  were  quite  plain,  and,  in  this  capacity,  he 
was  never  distinguished.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  was 
much  injured  by  engaging  in  land  speculations.  Having  removed 
to  Maryland,  he  died  suddenly,  by  drowning,  in  1801. 


EPHKAIM  ABEL. 

Although  he  whose  character  is  now  to  receive  attention  was 
one  of  the  most  useful  men  of  his  day,  his  memory  had  well-nigh 
perished.  While  other  men  less  humble  and  devoted  have  been 
admired,  and  have  had  their  names  handed  down  to  the  present 
age,  no  one  seems,  hitherto,  to  have  taken  pains  to  record  the 
labors  of  Ephraim  Abel.  His  most  enduring  record,  however,  is 
on  high  ;  and  if  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  his  name  be  found,  it  is 
of  comparatively  little  moment  though  the  generation  in  which  he 
moved  on  earth  should  ungratefully  neglect  him. 

His  native  place  was  the  County  of  Orange,  where  his  heart 
was  subdued  to  the  obedience  of  the  faith,  and  where  he  was  bap- 
tized by  John  Leland,  not  far  from  the  year  1788.  Yery  soon 
after  his  connection  with  the  Baptist  Church  he  commenced  his 
ministerial  course.  After  his  ordination  he  removed  to  Fauquier 
County.  He  was  soon  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Hartwood,  in 
Stafford,  and  it  is  believed  he  also  undertook  the  charge  of  Brent- 
town,  in  Prince  William.  Besides  this,  he  labored  much  in  Fau- 
quier County.  The  following  testimony  to  the  excellence  of  Elder 
Abel's  character,  and  the  success  of  his  toils,  is  borne  by  one  of 
the  most  judicious  brethren  of  the  upper  country,  who,  for  a  series 
of  years,  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him : — 

"He  was  a  man  possessing  great  worth  of  character,  exerting 
an  extensive  and  happy  influence  upon  the  communities  in  which 
he  lived.     Correcting  with  great  judgment  and  tenderness  the 

VOL.  I  24 


218  EPRRAIM   ABEL. 

improprieties  of  the  brotherhood,  and  giving  by  liis  amiable  and 
pious  life  a  mighty  sanction  to  the  truths  which  he  diligently  pro- 
pagated for  many  years,  he  is  most  affectionately  remembered  by 
a  few  surviving  brethren.  He  died,  universally  lamented,  about 
1809.  When  Fristoe's  Ketockton  History  appeared,  a  few  years 
after,  it  was  a  matter  of  profound  astonishment  that  Elder  Abel 
was  not  noticed  according  to  his  claims  upon  the  historian.  It 
will  be  explained,  perhaps,  by  adverting  to  what  will  soon  cease 
to  be  known  except  on  the  page  of  history.  That  historian,  with 
all  his  native  greatness  and  gracious  goodness,  was  accustomed 
to  rate  men  low  who  did  not  spend  a  large  portion  of  their  time 
in  degrading  (ideal)  Anniniamsm.  This,  the  subject  of  these 
remarks  thought,  was  best  done  by  preaching  Christ  and  him 
crucified.  The  spririt  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived  led  almost 
all  men  into  bitter  controversy  in  the  pulpit.  Such  was  the  meek- 
ness of  his  spirit  and  the  philanthropy  of  his  heart  that  he  pre- 
ferred avoiding  the  theatre  where  he  was  likely,  by  circumstances, 
to  have  his  soul  brought  under  sectarian  influence  of  a  controver- 
sial character — hence  he  seldom  visited  Associations.  His  views 
of  truth  were  of  that  kind  which  tend  eminently  to  degrade 
human  nature,  and  exalt  the  riches  of  Divine  grace.  There  was 
a  lovely  proportion  in  his  character,  which  commended  itself  to 
those  who  knew  him  best,  as  the  result  of  a  supernatural  influence. 
Many  were  brought  in  under  his  ministry,  and  instances  are  still 
occurring  which  attest  the  fact  that  the  Lord  used  him  as  the  in- 
strument of  sowing  seed  to  spring  up  long  after  he  had  entered 
upon  the  joys  of  a  better  state.  He  left  several  children ;  most 
of  them  are  professors  of  religion. 

"The  field  of  his  labor  was  extensive,  he  being  for  many  years 
the  only  minister  of  our  denomination  for  a  large  district  of  coun- 
try. He  was  removed  from  earth  by  a  lingering  disease.  His 
soul  was  calm,  his  faith  unwavering,  till  he  gently  fell  asleep  in 
the  arms  of  Jesus.  It  was  said,  by  those  who  knew,  that  it  was 
truly  delightful  to  be  with  him  during  his  illness.  He  expressed 
anxiety  about  the  condition  of  his  churches,  and  desired  the  bre- 
thren to  meet  together  and  keep  up  the  worship  of  God.  This 
was  done  as  he  desired  until  a  successor  was  obtained." 


HENRY  I^ELING,  Sen.  2*79 

From  this  extract  the  reader  may  justly  infer  that  Elder  Abel 
was,  as  a  man  and  minister,  well  qualified  to  exercise  a  salutary 
influence  among  the  circles  in  which  he  moved.  May  not  the 
fervent  prayer  be  offered  up  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he 
would  multiply  many  such  laborers  ? 


HENRY    KEELING,  Sen.* 

"Was  born  in  or  about  the  year  IttO,  in  Princess  Anne  County, 
Lynnhaven  Bay,  probably  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  buried  in 
the  summer  of  1820,  making  his  life  only  fifty  years.  He  was  the 
youngest  but  one  of  a  large  family  of  children ;  the  oldest  of 
whom  was  Jacob  Keeling,  Sen.,  whose  oldest  son  was  the  late 
Rev.  Jacob  Keeling,  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Suffolk. 

Contrary  to  the  tastes  and  usages  of  this  old  Yirginia  family, 
who,  from  the  earliest  settlements  on  the  James,  had  loved  seclu- 
sion and  planting,  Henry  was  at  an  early  age  indentured,  at  Nor- 
folk, to  be  a  mechanic.  His  master  was  a  man  named  Portlock,  to 
whose  savage  treatment  he  ascribed  the  ruin  of  his  constitution. 

In  his  eighteenth  year  (1788)  he  professed  religion,  under  the 
ministry  of  Major  Thomas  Armistead,  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
subsequently  Rev.  Thomas  Armistead,  first  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  in  Portsmouth.  This  man  combined  in  his  person  the 
military  with  the  religious  official  life,  as  in  cases  of  necessity  has 
been  done  by  persons  of  very  high  distinction.  It  is  certain  that 
young  Keeling  was  a  constituent  member,  at  its  constitution,  of 
that  venerable  body  the  Portsmouth  Church,  for  there  was  no 
church  in  Norfolk  till  many  years  afterwards,  and  within  two  years 
of  his  baptism  was  constituted  the  church,  and  the  Association 
which  borrows  its  name. 

Prom  his  credentials,  which  are  now  on  the  desk  of  the  -writer 
of  this  notice,  (in  1859,)  on  parchment,  in  the  superior  chirogra- 
phy  of  J.  Plood,  whose  signature,  with  that  of  Davis  Biggs,  the 


■^  By  Ileni'y  Keeling,  Jr. 


280  HENRY  KEELING,  Sen. 

then  pastor  of  the  church,  is  affixed,  as  Presbytery,  he  was 
ordained  March  19,  1803,  in  IS'orfolk,  the  early  home  of  his  mar- 
ried life,  by  order  of  "The  Baptist  Church  in  Portsmouth  and 
Norfolk."  His  license,  on  the  same  sheet,  is  of  only  eight  days 
previous  date,  and  signed  by  Deacon  William  M.  Fauquier,  of 
Keeling — through  life  the  unchanging  friend,  and  one  of  the  fa- 
thers of  everything  good  in  the  interest  of  the  Baptists  in  Norfolk. 

These  data  leave  Elder  Keeling  only  seventeen  years  of  profes- 
sional ministerial  life,  but  the  fifteen  previous  years  had  been 
scarcely  less  usefully  employed.  Of  these,  the  three  of  the  war 
of  1812-15  were  employed  in  the  pastorate  of  the  Toppim 
Church,  in  Chowan  County,  North  Carolina,  where  he  was  the 
companion  and  fellow-laborer  of  the  Rosses,  the  Spiveys,  and  the 
Dorseys;  the  several  previous  years  of  the  embargo,  when  all 
merchandise  and  every  pursuit  beyond  mere  necessity  was  sus- 
pended, he  was  pastor  of  the  Pungo  and  Black-water  Churches, 
where  he  was  associated  with  the  Caseys,  Etheridges,  Soreys,  and 
Browns ;  and  the  last  five  years  of  his  life,  he  sustained  the  same 
office  with  his  old  people,  at  London  Bridge,  among  whom  he 
had  been  born,  and  with  whom  he  is  buried. 

The  towns  then,  as  now,  and  always,  though  small,  had  large 
influence  on  the  surrounding  country.  The  commanding  interest, 
money,  was  in  the  hands  of  the  merchants,  who  were  generally 
either  Englishmen  or  Scotchmen  :  the  former  Episcopalians,  the 
latter  Presbyterians ;  and  with  neither,  much  sympathy  for  Bap- 
tists. Hence,  when  our  ministers  settled  in  them,  it  was  to  follow 
some  secular  calling  for  support,  while  they  labored  as  best  they 
could  in  the  towns  and  the  adjacent  regions :  and  hence  almost 
every  Baptist  minister  was,  if  in  the  country,  a  farmer ;  if  the  town, 
a  merchant  or  mechanic,  or  perhaps  a  soldier.  There  were  Have- 
locks  then,  as  now ;  and  every  man  was,  though  self-supported  and 
at  great  sacrifice  to  himself  and  family,  a  missionary.  Nor  was  it 
possible  to  be  easily  or  soon  loosened  from  such  bonds.  It  must 
forever  remain  to  us  a  wonder  that,  under  such  circurdstances, 
they  did,  not  so  little,  but  so  much.  No  telegraph,  cars,  or 
steam ;  Bibles,  tracts,  or  papers,  for  circulation — nor  the  possi- 
bility of  originating  them,  No  Sunday-schools,  nor  colporteurs  ; 
no  anything,  but  for  each  man  to  sieze  his  implements  or  utensils, 


ABSALOM  WALLER.  281 

and  work  where  he  could.  If  a  forest  presented  itself,  down 
with  a  tree ;  if  a  field,  thrust  in  his  spade  or  his  sickle.  Now  we 
can  easily  and  gratefally  look  back,  and  see  how  each  opening 
providence  and  each  enterprise,  of  social  or  individual  origin, 
contributed  to  the  great  cause :  but  the  beginnings  of  things  are, 
of  necessity,  small  and  feeble,  encounter  difficulties,  and  are  hard 
to  originate.  If  Lott  Carey  had  never  seen  a  Latter  Day  Lumi- 
nary, he  might  never  have  gone  to  Africa. 

Elder  Keeling  was  fond  of  learning,  in  common  with  many 
others  who  lacked  opportunity.  Had  he  lived  in  our  day,  he 
would  have  been  whole-souled  in  the  enterprises  of  this  age. 
But  neither  his  labors  nor  his  person  were  known  beyond  a  few 
surrounding  counties :  in  these,  and  their  churches,  as  the  Minutes 
of  the  Portsmouth  Association  show,  he  was  highly  respected 
and  much  beloved. 

Of  him  and  many  of  his  companions  it  may  truly  be  said, 
briars  and  thistles  are  the  monuments  of  their  graves ;  but  their 
memorial  is  with  those  who  have  followed  them  to  the  skies,  and 
ought  not  to  be  less  with  us,  who  feel  the  moral  influence  of  their 
lives,  inducing  much  that  is  great  and  good  in  the  present  state  of 
things,  which  some  erringly  think  more  in  contrast  than  in  unison 
with  their  labors  and  privations.  They  labored,  and  we  have  en- 
tered into  their  labors.  Of  these  fields  that  surround  us  on  all 
sides,  some  inviting,  some  promising,  some  luxurious  and  beautiful, 
calling  us  to  labor  and  to  reap,  some  hands  must  have  felled  the 
forests.  Those  hands  were  the  hands  of  our  fathers,  whose 
memory  we  thus  briefly  record. 


ABSALOM    WALLER. 

This  servant  of  the  Redeemer  was  born  in  Spottsylvania,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1*7 '1 2.  His  parents,  several  years  prior  to  their  marriage, 
were  brought  under  religious  influence  by  the  instrumentality  of 
Elder  Samuel  Harriss.  Having  heard  from  his  lips  the  word  of 
salvation,  and  embraced  it  in  1*768,  they  became  members  of  the 

24* 


282  ABSALOM  WALLER. 

Baptist  church.  They  had  six  children,  of  whom  Absalom  was  the 
oldest.  They  were  allowed  not  only  to  see  them  all  happily  mar- 
ried and  settled  in  comfortable  circumstances,  but  the  followers 
of  Christ  and  members  of  his  visible  church.  The  happy  influ- 
ence of  parental  counsel  and  example  was  strikingly  exhibited  in 
their  history.  With  regard  to  this  influence,  their  son  Absalom 
thus  speaks  when  he  was  nearly  fifty  years  of  age :  "I  have  often 
remembered,  with  humble  gratitude  to  God,  my  happy  lot  to  be 
born  of  such  parents.  They  used  to  converse  with  their  children 
about  the  great  things  of  eternity  from  the  earliest  dawn  of  reason, 
and  as  soon  as  we  could  read,  the  Bible  was  put  into  our  hands; 
occasionally  they  would  make  us  read,  and  then  explain  what  was 
read  to  us,  especially  on  the  Sabbath  day.  Our  father  was,  from 
my  earliest  remembrance,  very  punctual  in  the  observance  of  family 
worship,  which  made  a  gradual  and  deep  religious  impression  on 
my  mind.  About  the  commencement  of  my  fourteenth  year,  I 
obtained  an  interest  in  the  merits  of  our  blessed  Redeemer. 
Shortly  after,  the  pastor  of  our  church  baptized  a  younger  bro- 
ther in  our  family,  and,  in  the  lapse  of  years,  I  had  baptized  two 
more  of  my  brothers  and  our  sister,  together  with  my  own  wife, 
as  also  the  husband  of  my  sister,  prior  to  their  marriage.  In  our 
late  revivals,  the  heavenly  drops  of  Divine  mercy  came  down 
again  in  rich  profusion  upon  our  highly-favored  family,  and  the 
last  of  my  brothers,  four  sisters-in-law,  three  nieces  and  a  nephew, 
the  youngest  not  thirteen  years  old,  have  bowed  to  the  sceptre  of 
King  Jesus.  Our  parents,  at  the  advanced  age  of  over  three- 
score and  ten,  are  in  good  health,  and  full  of  piety  and  good 
works,  waiting  for  a  gentle  dismission,  in  the  earnest  hope  of  a 
glorious  immortality." 

In  1*186,  as  already  referred  to,  he  became  a  joyful  believer  in 
Christ,  and  some  time  during  the  next  year  was  baptized  by  his 
uncle,  John  Waller,  and  united  with  the  church  at  Waller's, 
Spottsylvania.  When  his  brother  John  and  himself  became  the 
subjects  of  conversion,  a  deep  impression  was  made  on  the  mind 
of  their  uncle  and  pastor,  that  John  was  designed  of  God  to 
become  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  Connected  with  this  impression, 
a  remarkable  incident  is  related.  Elder  John  Leland,  who  then 
resided  in  Yirginia,  attended  a  njeeting  at  which  he  met  the 


ABSALOM  WALLER.  283 

youthful  brothers,  and  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  them  both 
lead  in  prayer.  After  rising  from  his  knees  he  appeared  thought- 
ful, and  calling  the  attention  of  the  pastor,  said,  "Brother  Waller, 
you  are  deceived  in  your  impressions :  John  will  never  preach ; 
but  that  little  white-headed  boy,"  pointing  to  Absalom,  "  will  be 
the  preacher  in  your  flock."  For  several  years  after  his  connec- 
tion with  the  church,  Absalom  seems  to  have  passed  through  sore 
conflicts  with  the  great  adversary.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
imprudently  cherished  an  attachment  to  an  irreligious  female,  who 
proved  unfaithful  to  the  pledges  she  had  given  him,  and  thus  the 
connection  was  prevented.  In  relation  to  this  afl'air,  he  thus 
speaks:  "When  I  became  convinced  that  I  was  honorably  de- 
livered from  this  snare,  I  felt  sweet  thankfulness  to  God,  whose 
great  mercy  had  wrought  deliverance  for  me.  I  had  calculated 
on  settling  myself  on  a  little  farm  detached  from  the  noise  of  this 
busy  world,  where  I  might  spend  my  days  in  the  shades  of  ob- 
scurity. This  was  the  scheme  I  had  honestly  formed ;  but  God 
foresaw  the  evil  that  awaited  me,  dissolved  the  golden  enchant- 
ment, and  set  me  at  liberty." 

In  his  nineteenth  year  he  became  deeply  concerned  for  the 
salvation  of  his  fellow-men,  and  impressed  with  the  conviction 
that  it  was  his  duty  to  devote  his  life  to  the  work  of  preaching 
the  gospel.  In  the  consideration  of  this  subject  he  suffered  much 
mental  anguish.  Numerous  objections  to  the  work  were  sug- 
gested, and  at  times  he  was  tempted  altogether  to  abandon  it.  A 
sense  of  duty  at  length  prevailed.  "I  was,"  says  he,  "a  poor, 
trembling,  doubting  creature  myself,  and  no  way  calculated  to 
instruct  others.  I  lacked  education,  and  was  timid  to  an  extreme, 
and  withal  I  was  poor,  and  my  future  subsistence  in  life  depended 
on  my  attention  to  business  of  some  kind ;  but  these  objections 
were  not  sufficient  to  extinguish  the  flame  which  was  burning  in 
my  bosom." 

About  two  years  after,  he  was  publicly  set  apart  by  the  church 
to  the  work  of  preaching  and  administering  the  ordinances  of  the 
gospel.  This  event  was  viewed  in  its  true  light,  as  one  of  the 
most  solemn  and  important  which  could  occur  in  the  whole 
history  of  his  life.  It  was  preceded  by  deep  searchings  of  heart 
and  prayer  to  God  for  direction.     That  man  gives  but  little 


284  ABSALOM   WALLER. 

evidence  of  a  call  to  tlie  ministry  or  fitness  for  the  work  who 
enters  upon  it  in  a  trifling  and  prayerless  spirit.  The  state  of 
Elder  Waller's  mind  will  be  indicated  by  the  reference  which  he 
afterwards  made  to  this  period  of  his  ministerial  career : — 

"In  the  month  of  July,  1793,  a  motion  was  made  in  church 
meeting  to  appoint  a  day  for  my  ordination  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  a  resolution  passed  that  the  business  should  be 
attended  to  in  August,  and  that  assistant  preachers  be  Called  in 
for  the  purpose  of  ordination.  Although  the  church  was  unani- 
mous in  making  this  order,  still  I  thought  it  premature,  and 
expressed  my  sentiments  to  that  effect ;  but  the  brethren  appeared 
decided  and  immoTable  in  their  opinion  that  the  Lord  had  most 
assuredly  called  me  to  preach  his  gospel,  and  that  I  ought  to  be 
ordained  and  fully  authorized  to  go  forward  in  the  work.  I  spent 
much  of  the  month  of  July  in  solemn  prayer  and  meditation ;  I 
fasted  and  humbled  myself  greatly  before  a  throne  of  grace.  The 
language  of  my  heart  was,  '  0  Lord,  thou  knowest  my  motives 
and  desires;'  if  I  am  actuated  by  anything  short  of  an  humble 
desire  for  the  salvation  of  sinners  and  the  advancement  of  thy 
name's  glory,  I  beseech  thee  to  show  it  me  and  I  will  seal  my  lips 
in  silence.'  The  presence  of  God  was  with  me,  and  in  my  deepest 
hours  of  retirement  I  felt  his  love  shining  like  a  sunbeam  in  my 
soul.  I  became  convinced  it  was  my  duty  to  preach  the  everlast- 
ing gospel.  What  could  I  say,  or  how  dare  I  be  disobedient  to 
the  heavenly  vision  ?  My  soul  was  humbled  into  the  very  dust ; 
and  such  were  the  views  that  I  had  of  the  excellency  of  my 
Master's  service,  that  if  crowns  and  sceptres  had  been  presented 
to  me  I  should  have  looked  on  them  with  contempt,  and  have 
said,  '  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  I  was  willing  to  forsake  parents,  brethren, 
houses,  and  land,  yea,  all  for  Christ  and  his  cause.  In  this  frame 
of  mind  I  met  the  Presbytery  that  was  called  to  attend  my  ordi- 
nation, and  I  sat  as  a  little  child  at  their  feet.  I  was  examined, 
and  publicly  ordained  as  an  assistant  minister  in  the  Baptist 
church  at  Waller's,  when  I  had  but  just  completed  my  twenty-first 
year.  Directly  after  my  ordination  I  went  into  the  pulpit  and 
preached  to  a  large  audience  with  much  enjoyment.  How  mar- 
velous are  the  works  of  God,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out !" 


ABSALOM  WALLER.  285 

During  the  same  year  in  which  he  was  ordained  his  uncle, 
Elder  John  Waller,  removed  with  his  family  to  South  Carolina. 
Three  or  four  churches  were,  in  consequence,  left  without  an 
under-shepherd.  But  the  Great  Shepherd  had  designed  to 
prepare  a  successor  in  the  person  of  Absalom  Waller.  The  eye 
of  the  destitute  churches  was  at  once  directed  to  him  as  a  suitable 
leader.  He  consented  to  take  the  oversight  of  Waller's,  County 
Line,  and  Bethany,  and  for  many  years  continued  to  labor  for 
them. 

In  1808,  in  taking  a  brief  review  of  his  pastoral  life,  he  thus 
alludes  to  two  of  these  churches:  "The  congregation  which 
statedly  attended  my  ministerial  labors  at  County  Line  was  large, 
and  independent  as  to  worldly  circumstances ;  but  the  provision 
which  they  made  for  my  support  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  was 
poor  indeed.  In  fifteen  years  I  received  two  hundred  and  four- 
teen dollars  for  the  loss  of  my  time,  expense  of  clothing,  riding 
horse,  etc.  If  the  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire,  this  people  were 
surely  unfaithful  to  me.  But  the  Lord  will  determine  this  matter 
at  a  future  day.  Notwithstanding  the  neglect  of  the  brethren,  I 
loved  them  tenderly,  and  served  them  in  singleness  and  simplicity 
of  heart.  Through  all  my  sufferings,  the  church  at  Waller's  have 
been  my  helpers ;  they  have  freely  administered  to  my  necessities, 
and  have  assisted  me  more  liberally  in  things  pertaining  to  this  life 
than  all  other  churches  among  whom  I  have  gone  preaching  the 
gospel  of  Christ;  and,  notwithstanding  my  own  meanness,  the 
King  of  saints  has  made  me  a  blessing  indeed  to  my  mother 
church.  I  have  seen  the  travail  of  my  Master's  soul,  and  have 
been  satisfied  therewith  among  my  brethren  at  Waller's." 

The  ministrations  of  Elder  Waller  were  much  prospered  of  the 
Lord,  particularly  at  the  church  at  Yv^aller's.  Besides  regular 
additions  from  year  to  year,  several  revivals  of  religion  were 
enjoyed.  The  most  extensive  occurred  in  1811-18,  previous 
to  which  he  had  baptized  more  than  1500  persons.  In  1811, 
after  a  season  of  much  discouragement,  in  consequence  of 
the  depressed  condition  of  the  churches,  he  entertained  serious 
thoughts  of  leaving  Yirginia ;  and,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
the  most  desirable  situation,  he  spent  several  months  in  traveling 
through  the  Western  States.    During  his  absence  he  was  the  sub- 


286  ABSALOM  WALLER. 

ject  of  the  most  painfully  conflicting  emotions,  concerning  tlie 
course  he  ought  to  take.  He  represents  himself  as  entranced  with 
the  idea,  that  when  comfortably  settled  in  the  "land  of  corn  and 
wine,"  he  should  never  more  hear  from  child  or  servant  the  heart- 
rending question,  what  shall  we  do  for  bread  ?  But  a  whisper, 
solemn  as  the  voice  of  death,  inquired,  "and  with  whom  wilt  thou 
leave  these  few  sheep  in  the  wilderness  ?" 

"  I  became  convinced,"  he  continues,  "it  was  not  the  will  of  Grod 
that  I  should  remove  from  my  native  State,  as  yet,  and  that  per- 
haps my  dear  Master  intended  to  make  me  the  humble  instrument, 
in  his  hand,  of  bringing  sinners  to  bow  to  the  golden  sceptre  of 
his  grace.  Delightful  thought,  indeed — '  What,  to  be  the  means, 
in  the  hand  of  Heaven,  of  bringing  home  more  of  the  lost  sheep  of 
the  house  of  Israel ;'  and  some  of  them  perhaps  from  among  my  kin- 
folks,  and  the  children  of  my  old  brethren  and  sisters,  who  have  grown 
up  under  my  infant  ministry!  Lord,  it  is  enough.  I'll  tread  this 
dirty  world  and  all  its  mean  appendages  under  my  feet,  and  bear 
the  cross  of  my  Divine  Master  with  holy  zeal  and  fortitude.  In 
exercises  like  these  I  reached  home,  and  found  my  family  and 
churches  safe  :  I  had,  in  many  fervent  prayers,  committed  them 
to  the  care  of  Heaven,  and  finding  them  under  the  protection  of 
my  great  and  good  Father,  and  ready  to  receive  me  with  open 
arms,  my  heart  was  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  gratitude. 

"In  a  few  days  after  luy  arrival  at  home.  Elder  G.  Hodgen  and 
W.  Warder,  on  their  return  from  the  Baptist  Convention  in  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  visited  the  church  at  Waller's,  and  such  was 
our  dullness,  that  very  few  attended  their  appointment.  They 
came,  however,  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessings  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ;  and  from  this  period  I  began  to  entertain  an  humble  hope 
that  the  set  time  to  favor  our  Zion  was  at  hand." 

His  relation  of  the  various  exercises  of  his  own  mind  during  the 
progress  of  this  interesting  work,  will  exhibit  the  concern  he  in- 
dulged for  the  salvation  of  sinners  and  the  prosperity  of  the 
churches.     The  following  is  an  extract : — 

"In  the  middle  of  harvest  the  ministers  before  named  canae 
among  us,  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and  after- 
wards preached  in  rotation  four  or  five  times,  with  all  the  sim- 
plicity of  apostolic  zeal,  and  great  success,  to  vast  crowds  of 


ABSALOM   WALLER.  287 

people.  The  first  sermon,  especially  by  Hodgen,  was  a  master- 
piece, (at  least  to  me;)  it  was  on  these  words:  'He  that  goeth 
forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come 
again  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with  him.'  I  never  saw  his 
face  before ;  but  he  told  me  all  my  faults,  and  sweetly  described 
all  my  sorrows  and  my  joys. 

"A  great  number  of  young  people  had  grown  up  under  my 
ministry  in  an  unconverted  state ;  still  they  seemed  to  show  me  very 
great  respect ;  if  they  were  to  be  married,  I  must  perform  the  cere- 
mony ;  if  they  were  sick,  I  must  visit  them.  One  of  my  brothers  in  the 
flesh,  and  four  amiable  sisters-in-law,  were  unsaved ;  for  these  I  had, 
almost  times  without  number,  prayed  and  wept  before  the  Lord  in 
secret.  But,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  when  the  set  time  to  visit 
our  people  came,  I  was  unprepared  to  hail  the  rising  beams  of  the 
Sun  of  righteousness.  Having  been  formerly  engaged  in  several 
pi'ecious  revivals  of  religion,  I  was  no  stranger  to  the  labors  of  an- 
evangelist.  Like  Jonah,  I  was  unwilling  to  run  at  the  Divine 
command ;  and  while  the  worth  of  souls,  together  with  a  full  per- 
suasion that  the  Lord  had  much  work  for  me  to  do,  was  presented 
in  all  their  force  to  my  mind  by  day,  and  even  in  dreams  at  night, 
I  strove,  in  a  variety  of  ways,  to  excuse  myself.  Several  pious 
ministers,  who  frequented  the  meetings  of  the  Kentucky  brethren, 
informed  me  that  they  could  not  feel  any  engagedness  in  the  work : 
which  seemed  to  be  bursting  forth  under  the  ministry  of  those 
preachers.  This  tended  very  much  to  strengthen  my  excuses  in 
secret,  before  a  throne  of  grace  ;  and  I  tried  to  believe  that  no 
sacrifices  were  required  of  me  in  the  work,  except  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  my  stated  labors  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  But  I  tried 
in  vain !  My  distress  of  mind  continued  to  increase,  from  an  in- 
ward conviction  that  I  was  disposed  to  roll  in  the  lap  of  domestic 
indolence,  while  the  great  harvest  of  souls  was  ripening ;  until  I 
became  fearful  it  would  settle  down  in  a  fixed  melancholy.  Some- 
times I  would  endeavor  to  divert  my  mind  by  the  conversation  of 
a  loving  wife,  and  the  innocent  prattle  of  our  children ;  but  my 
efforts  were  ineffectual.  I  was  in  the  frequent  habit  of  retiring 
into  a  grove  of  pines,  (where  are  deposited  the  remains  of  many 
of  ray  relatives,  together  with  two  of  my  own  children,)  for  the  pur- 
pose of  prayer;  and  having  one  cloudy  morning  felt  more  than 


288  ABSALOM  AVALLER. 

common  distress  in  mind  concerning  my  own  situation,  as  to  my 
unwillingness  to  forsake  all  for  Christ,  I  entered  my  usual  retreat, 
for  the  solemn  purpose  of  seeking  communion  with  God.  The 
lowering  clouds,  the  thick  cluster  of  pines,  as  also  the  graves  of 
the  sleeping  dust,  seemed  greatly  to  increase  the  spirit  of  devo- 
tion ;  my  very  soul  was  lifted  in  strong  cries  to  the  throne  of 
mercy,  for  Divine  instruction  concerning  the  way  of  duty.  While 
I  was  thus  engaged,  the  thought  struck  me,  with  great  force 
indeed,  that  the  souls  of  my  dear  departed  children  (near  whose 
graves  I  was  then  kneeling)  were  at  that  moment  in  glory,  sing- 
ing the  praises  of  the  Lamb  of  Grod,  who  died  for  the  redemption 
of  lost  sinners  !  and  that  I  was  surely  a  most  ungrateful  wretch,  to 
feel  unwilling  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  the  cause  of  Christ !  I  am 
unable  to  describe  my  feelings  at  that  moment ;  I  wept,  under  a 
sense  of  God's  goodness  and  my  own  ingratitude — nay,  more,  I 
fell  on  my  face  and  cried  out,  0  Lord !  send  me,  and  I  will  go ; 
I  will  forsake  all  for  Christ,  and  try  to  spend  my  latest  breath  in 
exhorting  sinners  to  repent  and  turn  to  God. 

"Prior  to  the  Association,  which  was  holden  on  the  first  Satur- 
day in  September  last,  between  thirty  and  forty  persons  (mostly 
young  people)  had  professed  to  find  pardon ;  and  on  my  return 
from  the  Association  I  entered  the  great  field  of  ministerial  labor, 
and  in  the  course  of  the  five  succeeding  months  I  delivered  over 
one  hundred  discourses  (chiefly  on  experimental  subjects)  to 
crowds  of  weeping  sinners,  besides  a  great  number  of  exhorta- 
tions ;  and  very  few  rest  days  passed  without  my  being  visited  by 
some  person  under  deep  convictions  for  sin.  The  constant  in- 
C|uiry,  '  What  shall  we  do  ?'  and  my  uniform  answer,  was,  'Believe 
on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  you  shall  be  saved.'  The  ordi- 
nance of  baptism  was  regularly  administered  once,  and  sometimes 
as  often  as  thrice  a  week ;  and  generally  from  ten  to  fifteen  were 
baptized  at  a  time ;  several  times  as  many  as  twenty,  and,  in  one 
instance,  twenty-five  were  baptized.  The  meetings  for  baptizing 
were  generally  attended  with  abundant  displays  of  the  Divine 
presence,  as  well  as  those  appointed  for  hearing  the  exercises  of 
the  new  converts." 

He  thus  describes  a  baptismal  scene:  "The  crowd  to-day  was 
'mmensely  great;  consequently  I  was  compelled  to  preach  in  the 


ABSALOM   WALLER.  289 

open  air;  however,  the  Lord  was  with  me,  aud  while  I  had  the 
immense  concave  of  heaven  for  my  sounding-board,  I  was  enabled 
to  raise  my  trembling  voice,  and  preach  that  men  should  repent 
and  believe  the  gospel ;  the  effect  was  great  indeed — many,  very 
many,  were  on  their  knees,  begging  the  prayers  of  God's  people  in 
their  behalf.  The  church  convened  to  hear  experience,  and  six 
were  received  as  candidates  for  baptism ;  among  this  number  was 
one  of  my  sisters-in-law,  and  a  daughter  of  my  eldest  brother. 
Oh  the  goodness  of  God,  in  making  me  the  humble  instrument  in 
his  hand  to  the  conversion  of  my  nearest  relatives ! 

"After  church-meeting  we  repaired  to  the  river;  the  place  was 
vastly  convenient  for  the  proper  arrangement  of  the  spectators  ; 
and  while  I  beheld  the  multitude  standing  in  solemn  order  on  the 
banks  of  the  river,  many  of  whom  were  in  tears,  I  was  reminded 
of  the  banks  of  Jordan,  where  thousands  attended  the  ministry 
of  the  first  Baptist  that  ever  was  in  the  world.  The'  service  was 
introduced  by  solemn  prayer  and  praise,  and  then  commenced  a 
most  heavenly  scene.  The  candidates  marched  down  into  the 
water  in  pairs,  singing  as  they  went  the  high  praises  of  God ;  so 
soon  as  they  were  baptized  they  returned  in  the  same  order ;  and 
to  behold  a  pair  of  lovely  children  newly  baptized  meeting  the 
welcome  embrace  of  their  weeping  and  pious  parents  on  the  bank, 
afforded  a  feast  to  the  enraptured  minds  of  God's  people  which 
I  am  unable  to  describe." 

At  another  time  he  says  :  "  In  the  early  part  of  October  the 
cloud  of  mercy  began  to  extend  itself  over  the  congregation  at 
Bethany,  and  on  the  third  Lord's  day,  in  the  morning,  I  com- 
menced the  work  of  baptizing  among  those  people ;  fifteen  per- 
sons were  on  that  day  added  to  the  church.  The  revival  had  now 
become  general  in  three  churches,  and  having  none  to  help  me  I 
was  almost  exhausted  in  the  labors  of  the  vineyard,  as  well  as  in 
continual  watchings  by  night  and  by  day.  But  the  Great  Head 
in  Zion  was  with  me  and  supported  my  feeble  frame,  so  that  in 
the  months  of  September  and  October  I  preached  over  forty  dis- 
courses and  baptized  one  hundred  and  forty-five  persons." 

Mr.  Waller  alludes  to  several  special  cases  of  conversion,  some 
of  which  may  properly  find  a  place  in  this  work  :  "A  young 
gentleman  of  liberal    principles,  who    had  spent  a  morning  in 

VOL.  I. — T  25 


290  ABSALOM  WALLER. 

light  and  sarcastic  conversatiou  with  a  carnal  neighbor  on  the 
subject  of  the  revival  of  religion,  on  his  return  home,  stated  that 
he  was  suddenly  seized  with  such  an  awful  sense  of  his  lo«t  state 
and  the  omnipresence  of  Grod,  that  he  was  brought  upon  his  knees 
to  beg  for  mercy  through  a  crucified  Saviour ;  and  from  this  period 
he  became  an  attendant  on  public  worship,  a  penitent  and  broken- 
hearted sinner ;  and  finally,  he  obtained  a  full  assurance  of  pardon 
for  sin,  and  has  since  become  a  zealous  member  of  the  church 
which  he  once  despised. 

"  Two  Christian  friends  entered  into  covenant  that  they  would 
unite  in  fervent  supplications  in  behalf  of  a  thoughtless  ac- 
quaintance for  whom  they  entertained  great  personal  respect ; 
and  to  their  great  joy  and  surprise  in  about  three  weeks  after- 
wards the  gentleman  came  to  meeting — was  struck  to  the  heart 
with  the  power  of  conviction  for  sin  ;  together  with  his  lady. 
They  have  both  since  become  members  of  the  County  Line 
Church.  It  was  truly  a  melting  sight,  to  behold  him  leading  the 
partner  of  his  earthly  joys  down  into  the  watery  tomb,  while  tears 
of  contrition  for  sin,  and  humble  gratitude  to  God  for  his  pardon- 
ing love,  through  a  Divine  Redeemer,  were  rolling  down  his 
manly  cheeks  !" 

"  The  family  of  an  old  member  in  the  County  Line  Church  was 
favored  in  a  peculiar  manner  indeed.  He  had  three  daughters 
who  were  all  converted  within  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours ; 
his  house  was  truly  another  bethel,  and  he  observed  to  a  friend 
shortly  after,  that  he  never  witnessed  so  much  of  the  goodness  of 
God  before.  In  the  midst  of  this,  a  gentleman  who  had  married 
an  elder  sister  of  the  young  ladies  who  had  just  obtained 
mercy,  having  heard  the  astonishing  news,  came  in  haste  to  hear 
the  particulars  of  the  case.  The  holy  raptures  of  his  sisters-in- 
law  produced  such  a  powerful  effect  on  his  mind  that  he  rested  no 
more  until  he  found  peace  by  the  blood  of  the  cross  ;  and  since, 
himself  and  his  wife  have  become  pious  members  of  the  church." 

Elder  W.  did  not  confine  his  ministerial  labors  to  the  churches 
for  which  he  statedly  preached,  but  made  extensive  and  frequent 
tours  in  almost  every  direction.  There  is  reason  to  believe  the 
seed  thus  sown  was  productive  of  fruit  unto  eternal  life.  The 
following  interesting  selection  from  his  journal  is  inserted  to  illus- 


ABSALOM  WALLER.  291 

trate  the  state  of  Ms  mind  in  one  of  these  excursions:  "We 
went  to  the  house  of  prayer  and  I  preached  from  Heb.  vi.  20,  21, 
to  the  multitude.  About  the  middle  of  my  discourse  the  fire  of 
.  the  Lord  began  to  kindle  and  gently  increased,  until  it  burst  into 
a  flame,  which  appeared  to  fill  the  whole  house ;  saints  rejoiced 
and  sinners  trembled  !  Oh  what  a  heaven  of  Divine  love  we  felt ! 
We  remained  at  the  meeting-house  until  a  late  hour,  then  ad- 
journed to  the  dwelling  of  Mr. ,  directly  on  the  sea-coast, 

dined,  and  preached  again  to  a  great  crowd,  heard  experiences,  and 
at  ten  o'clock  p.m.,  went  down  to  the  water,  which  was  about  a 
stone's  cast,  carrying  with  us  many  lights  ;  here  I  again  exhorted 
a  considerable  while  in  the  audience  of  a  solemn,  weejDing 
multitude. 

"  Reader,  you  can  hardly  form  an  idea  of  this  grand  and  awful 
scene.  Fancy  to  yourself  five  hundred  persons  standing  on  the 
sand  in  silent  awe  ;  the  proud  waves  of  the  sea  lulled  to  sleep  in 
the  deep  shades  of  night ;  and  not  a  breeze  stirring  to  disturb  the 
smooth  surface  of  the  water.  JSTumerous  lights  distributed  among 
the  crowd,  the  mild  radiance  of  the  moon,  and  ten  thousand  stars, 
all  conspired  to  render  the  season  grand  and  impressive.  As  I 
went  down  into  the  water,  my  heart  filled  with  the  delightful  idea 
that  the  Saviour,  who  himself  was  baptized  in  Jordan  to  fulfill 
all  righteousness,  was  present  by  his  Spirit,  beholding  our  order 
and  obedience.  Seven  persons  were  buried  with  Christ,  most  of 
whom  came  up  out  of  the  water  rejoicing  like  the  jailor  and  his 
house  who  were  baptized  the  same  hour  of  the  night." 

Mr.  Waller's  numerous  and  pressing  ministerial  duties,  connected 
with  the  care  of  a  growing  family,  must  have  required  unremitted 
toil.  It  would  appear  that  while  absorbed  in  the  great  work  to 
which  his  Master  had  called  him  he  did  not  neglect  to  provide  for 
his  own  household.  From  his  earliest  devotion  to  the  ministry  he 
was  accustomed  often  to  preach  from  four  to  five  times  in  the  week, 
besides  performing  labor  on  his  farm  and  spending  some  time  in 
study.  Speaking  on  this  subject,  he  says  :  "  It  must  not  be  supposed 
that  I  wholly  neglected  my  family  concerns ;  for  the  most  part  I 
rode  home  every  evening,  spent  often  most  of  the  night  in  reading, 
meditation,  and  prayer,  and  would  rise  with  the  dawn  of  day 
attend  to  all  my  temporal  affairs,  making  the  best  arrangements  I 


292  ABSALOM  WALLER. 

could,  and  then  ride  perhaps  eight  or  ten  miles  to  meeting."  This 
last  quotation  will  lead  to  the  mention  of  his  views  in  reference 
to  ministerial  improvement.  He  labored  under  the  continual 
consciousness  of  deficiency,  and  applied  himself  with  becoming, 
diligence  that  he  might  be  a  workman  needing  not  to  be  ashamed ; 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth.  He  was  not  possessed  of  ex- 
tensive literary  attainments,  but  he  sought  as  far  as  possible,  after 
his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  to  obtain  them.  Had  the  facilities 
which  are  now  enjoyed  by  young  ministers  been  at  hand,  he  would 
doubtless  have  obtained  an  education.  To  some  extent  he  pro- 
secuted the  study  of  the  Latin  language,  but  how  far  he  succeeded 
in  its  acquisition  is  not  distinctly  known.  The  following  para- 
graph shows  his  sentiments  on  the  importance  of  an  elevated 
standard  of  ministerial  improvement : — 

"  The  pastor  who  is  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  must 
devote  much  of  his  time  to  study,  reading,  and  prayer ;  otherwise, 
he  cannot  expect  to  profit  his  flock.  He  must  strive  to  become 
mighty  in  the  Scriptures,  that  he  may  be  able  rightly  to  divide 
the  word  of  truth ;  and  unless  he  devotes  himself  wholly  to  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  he  will  prove  a  burden  to  himself  as  well 
as  his  hearers.  It  is  a  lamentable  mistake  which  some  Christians 
labor  under  in  supposing,  that  because  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
is  promised  unto  the  Lord's  ministers  there  is  no  reason  for  them 
to  read  and  study.  A  minister  who  falls  into  this  delusion  is  very 
apt  to  became  cold  and  formal  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  and 
an  Antinomian  in  principle." 

At  another  time  he  says :  "  The  minister  of  Christ  should  be 
sound  in  the  faith  of  God's  elect  and  established  in  the  truths  of 
the  gospel,  that  he  may  be  able  to  feed  and  comfort  his  flock ;  he 
should  spend  much  of  his  time  upon  his  knees,  in  supplication  to 
God  for  the  people  of  his  charge  and  for  a  Divine  blessing  upon 
his  labors.  He  should  not  be  satisfied  with  dry  and  formal 
services  in  the  pulpit ;  but  he  ought  to  covet  earnestly  the  best 
gifts,  and  labor  night  and  day  to  become  a  scribe  well  instructed 
in  the  mysteries  of  gospel  grace,  that  he  might  bring  forth  from 
his  treasure  things  both  new  and  old,  for  the  establishment  of  the 
saints  in  their  most  holy  faith,  and  for  the  conviction  of  lost 
sinners.     The  church  is  very  soon  reduced  to  cold  and  declining 


ABSALOM  WALLER.  293 

circumstances,  when  her  pastor  is  satisfied  with  telling  his  own 
experience  and  traveling  over  his  old  ground  once  or  twice  a 
month.  While  it  is  all-important  that  a  pastor  should  look  to 
God  for  aid  in  preaching  to  his  flock,  it  is  also  highly  necessary 
that  he  should  be  unceasingly  engaged  in  accumulating  a  fund  of 
Divine  knowledge." 

His  views  of  pastoral  labor  were  sound  and  scriptural.  It  is 
much  to  be  regretted,  that  many  of  those  who  undertake  the  work 
of  an  overseer  over  the  house  of  God  have  no  just  conceptions  of 
their  responsibility.  Elder  W.  remarks:  "The  pastoral  duties 
are  not  confined  merely  to  public  preaching.  It  is  the  duty  of  a 
pastor  to  visit  his  people ;  to  comfort  those  that  are  in  affliction ; 
to  weep  with  those  that  weep;  and  to  rejoice  with  those  that 
rejoice.  He  should  warn  them  that  are  unruly ;  strengthen  the 
feeble-minded;  and  in  all  things  endeavor  to  be  to  his  flock  an 
example  of  meekness,  humility,  and  temperance.  In  the  govern- 
ment of  the  church  he  should  exercise  no  authority,  save  the 
counsel  of  a  tender  father ;  and  as  a  member,  he  should  be  subject 
to  tlie  watchful  care  and  discipline  of  the  church.  He  should 
administer  the  ordinances  and  exhort  the  members  to  a  faithful 
discharge  of  their  duty,  both  in  the  house  of  God  and  in  their 
families,  as  well  as  in  all  their  transactions  before  the  world." 

Nor  were  the  views  he  entertained  of  the  obligation  of  the 
church  to  provide  for  the  support  of  her  pastor  less  judicious  and 
consistent  with  the  Word  of  God.  He  remarks :  "  The  church 
should  pay  particular  attention  to  the  temporal  support  of  her 
pastor.  She  should  endeavor,  as  far  as  the  means  are  in  her 
power,  to  disengage  his  mind  from  the  perplexing  cares  of  his 
family,  that  he  may  give  himself  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word. 
The  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  who  preach  the  gospel  should 
live  of  the  gospel.  It  is,  undoubtedly,  the  duty  of  every  member 
to  contribute  toward  the  support  of  his  pastor  as  the  Lord  hath 
prospered  him. 

"There  are  many  professors  who  say,  that  if  a  minister  is  poor, 
then  it  is  our  duty  to  assist  him ;  but  if  he  is  otherwise,  or  in  good 
circumstances,  let  him  shift  for  himself  This  excuse  reminds  me 
of  a  remark  which  I  once  heard  fall  from  the  lips  of  a  poor  old 
Baptist  preacher.     He  said,  'That  after  having  tried  to  preach 

25* 


294  ABSALOM   WALLER. 

the  gospel  forty  years,  he  could  safely  say  that  he  never  received 
forty  shillings  for  preaching  in  his  lifeP  He  is  since  dead, 
and  a  neighbor  of  his  observed  to  me  in  a  few  months  after,  '  We 
never  knew  what  a  treasure  we  possessed  until  we  lost  him.'  The 
time  of  retribution  will  surely  come;  and  the  congregation  or 
church  that  lives  in  the  habit  of  closing  every  door  of  temporal 
support  against  the  man  who  watches  over  their  spiritual  interest 
have  reason  to  fear  the  judgments  of  an  angry  God,  who  visits  the 
sins  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  even  unto  the  third  and 
fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  him ;  while  he  shows  mercy 
unto  the  thousands  that  love  him  and  keep  his  commandments." 

It  were  well  if  these  doctrines  had  been  more  faithfully  pro- 
mulged  by  our  brethren  in  the  ministry.  When  the  popular 
sentiment  had  become  fixed  in  its  opposition  to  the  duty  of  giving 
a  full  support  to  the  ministry,  it  required  no  ordinary  moral 
courage  to  meet  this  prejudice,  especially  as  it  so  easily  comported 
with  the  selfishness  of  human  nature.  Covetousness  is  a  plant 
finding  vigorous  growth  in  the  soil  of  the  carnal  heart,  and  if  it  can 
receive  support  from  any  apparent  principle  of  Divine  authority, 
it  sends  forth  its  branches  but  the  more  luxuriantly.  To  aim  at 
the  root  of  this  evil,  at  whatever  expense  of  popular  favor,  is  the 
manifest  duty  of  every  Christian  pastor.  God's  people  should  be 
guarded  against  the  extreme  of  parsimony  and  the  ruinous  love 
of  money,  while  a  hireling  priesthood  is  denounced  as  unworthy 
of  support.  The  fidelity  of  Mr.  Waller  on  this  subject  is  worthy 
of  imitation.     He  says : — 

"  The  idea  that  if  a  minister  is  able,  he  is  bound  to  support 
himself,  is  one  of  the  most  unreasonable  things  that  ever  entered 
the  human  mind.  This  wild  notion  embraces  the  following  incon- 
sistent doctrines :  that  our  minister  is  to  employ  all  his  time  and 
talents  in  serving  the  people ;  to  procure  his  own  books,  clothes, 
food,  and  pay  his  taxes  out  of  what  he  honestly  raised  by  industry 
prior  to  his  becoming  our  pastor,  or  on  what  his  father  bequeathed 
him  by  his  last  will  and  testament !  I  cannot  believe  that  any 
who  fear  God  can  possibly  believe  a  doctrine  so  pointedly  con- 
trary to  Scripture,  reason,  or  even  common  sense ;  for,  in  admit- 
ting this,  we  must  believe  that  covetousness  is  an  appendage  in 
our  religion.     Abhorrent  thought,  indeed ! 


ABSALOM   WALLER.  295 

"A  covetous  Christian  would  be  a  monster  in  the  world  of 
grace.  I  am,  therefore,  disposed  to  think  that  the  principal 
reason  why  the  people  are  so  prone  to  neglect  the  support  of  the 
gospel  ministry  arises  from  two  sources.  First,  the  ministers 
themselves,  in  declaiming  against  the  despotism  of  the  former 
establishment  of  religion,  have  taught  the  people  to  believe  that 
religion  was  to  be  supported  by  miracles ;  and  even  where  this 
absurd  and  mistaken  notion  began  to  vanish,  the  want  of  proper 
attention  to  the  Scripture  method  of  providing  for  the  ministry 
has  caused  very  considerable  difficulty  and  even  serious  confusion 
to  arise.  Second,  the  people  tremble  at  the  idea  of  a  pampered 
and  lazy  set  of  priests,  who,  like  swarms  of  locusts,  devour  the 
good  of  the  land  in  all  countries  where  they  have  an  existence.  I 
wish,  therefore,  to  make  a  few  serious  remarks  upon  each  of  these 
evils. 

"Plrst.  The  man  who  suffers  his  zeal  to  carry  him  to  extremes 
when  declaiming  against  error  of  any  kind,  is  very  often  the  means 
of  forming  prejudices  in  the  minds  of  the  people  of  the  most  un- 
reasonable and  unscriptural  nature,  which  requires  the  lapse  of 
generations  to  wipe  off.  Second.  1  observe  that  where  the  people 
possess  the  power  of  choosing  the  man  who  is  to  minister  to  them 
in  holy  things,  and  of  discarding  him  at  pleasure,  they  have 
nothing  to  fear  from  spiritual  tyranny.  The  monsters  of  civil 
and  religious  despotism  seldom  show  their  heads  in  the  tents  of  a 
virtuous  people,  but  where  the  inhabitants  of  a  country  forsake 
the  ordinances  of  heaven,  throw  down  the  altars  of  the  most  high 
God,  and  plunge  into  carnal  mirth  and  pleasure ;  in  process  of 
time  the  whole  body  becomes  a  mass  of  disorder  and  wild  confu- 
sion ;  every  man  wishes  to  do  what  appears  to  be  right  in  his  own 
eyes ;  the  sword  falls  from  the  hand  of  the  magistrate,  and  there 
is  an  end  to  all  order,  while  even  the  right  of  private  property 
becomes  insecure.  In  this  state  of  chaos  the  demons  of  spiritual 
and  civil  tyranny  raise  their  heads.  The  one  assumes  the  title  of 
Bishop,  or  supreme  head  of  the  church,  while  the  other  marches 
through  rivers  of  blood  to  the  throne  of  cruel  despotism.  Then 
the  sons  of  heaven-born  liberty  must  fly  their  native  country  or 
be  consigned  to  the  horrid  dungeons  of  the  despot. 

"The,  last  thing  which  I  shall  notice  is  the  proper  method  to 


296  ABSALOM    WALLER. 

be  observed  in  the  regular  support  of  the  gospel  ministry.  Every 
person  should  remember  that  whatever  he  gives  is  given  unto 
Christ,  or  to  aid  in  the  support  of  his  blessed  cause." 

Mr.  Waller  had  been  familiar  with  the  sacrifices  and  sufferings 
of  the  older  men  of  God,  who,  to  proclaim  Christ  to  the  people, 
had  gone  on  long  journeys,  and  whose  families  had  been  allowed 
by  the  churches  to  suffer  the  want  of  food  and  raiment.  He  had 
witnessed  their  faith  and  patience,  while,  pressed  in  spirit,  they 
beheld  the  multitude  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  and  had  gone 
forth  to  feed  them.  The  following  touching  anecdote  is  related 
by  him : — 

"I  am  acquainted  with  a  minister  who  once  left  home  under 
great  pressure,  to  fulfill  a  tour  of  six  days'  meetings.  The  wife 
of  his  bosom  said  to  him,  just  as  he  started,  '  My  dear  husband, 
what  are  we  to  do  for  bread  ?'  The  big  tear  of  piety  was  swim- 
ming in  her  radiant  eyes,  for  she  feared  Elijah's  God.  Her  poor 
disconsolate  husband  replied,  'The  Lord  will  provide  '  At  that 
time  the  whole  stock  of  grain,  or  last  turn,  was  sent  to  the  mill, 
and  they  had  no  money.  The  preacher  went  on  to  fulfill  his 
appointments,  trying  to  summon  all  the  fortitude  of  a  doubting 
Thomas,  wishing,  in  the  midst  of  his  inexpressible  tortures  of 
mind,  to  lean  on  that  promise,  '  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake 
thee.'  On  the  sixth  day,  after  preaching  to  a  large  and  solemn 
assembly,  he  felt  more  than  common  consolation,  arising  from  an 
humble  hope  that  he  had  been  made  the  instrument  of  doing  some 
good.  Just  as  he  was  turning  his  face  toward  his  house,  a  gen- 
tleman put  a  paper  in  his  hand,  and  said,  'A  few  of  us  worldlings 
wish,  sir,  to  viake  you  a  small  present.''  The  preacher  received 
it  with  a  silent  bow ;  but  what  were  his  feelings,  when,  on  opening 
the  paper,  he  found  it  contained  forty  dollars !  He  alighted 
from  his  horse  in  a  lonely  wood,  and,  on  his  knees,  returned 
thanks  to  Heaven,  while,  with  flowing  tears,  he  prayed  for  the 
salvation  of  the  gentlemen  who  bestowed  the  present.  The  pious 
reader  is  left  to  judge  as  to  the  impression  made  upon  the  mind 
of  her  who  participates  in  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  the  minister." 

The  duty  of  employing  the  avails  of  labor  in  part  for  the  pro- 
motion of  Christ's  kingdom  was  often  pressed  upon  the  attention 
of  his  churches.     He  feared  not,  however  unpopular  it  might  be, 


ABSALOM  WALLEE.  297 

to  present  this  duty  in  its  strongest  light,  believing  that  its  neglect 
would  be  attended  with  the  Divine  disapprobation.  He  writes, 
in  reference  to  it : — 

"  'The  Lord  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.'  A  deacon  once  informed 
me,  that  '  a  member  in  the  church  where  he  was  also  a  member, 
observed  to  him,  on  paying  his  annual  subscription,  that  he  hated 
to  part  with  his  money  for  religion.  That  year  the  miser  died ; 
and  his  children  have  since  spent  hundreds  at  law  concerning  the 
division  of  his  estate.'  I  have  no  sort  of  doubt  concerning  the 
Divine  interference  in  all  human  affairs,  and  that  God  rewards  or 
even  chastises  his  own  children  in  the  present  world  according  to 
their  works.  I  often  tremble  at  the  thought  of  the  dying  bed  of 
thorns  which  awaits  worldly-minded  professors,  who  are  always 
too  poor  to  give  a  small  matter  to  the  poor,  or  to  cast  their  mite 
into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord." 

Mr.  Waller's  sentiments  on  the  nature  of  Christian  fellowship, 
in  distinction  from  the  kindness  proper  to  be  shown  to  men  in 
general,  as  also  the  importance  of  fidelity  in  defending  scriptural 
doctrines  and  ordinances,  were  sound,  and  fearlessly  expressed. 
He  was  not  a  bigot.  The  good  of  every  name  he  knew  how  to 
appreciate.  And  yet  the  will  of  the  Lord,  as  ascertained  from 
his  words,  was  regarded  as  authoritative  and  binding  on  all  his 
people.  No  false  notions  of  charity  would  allow  him  to  conceal 
or  adulterate  the  truth.  It  was  with  reference  to  this  subject  that 
the  following  interesting  statements  were  made  : — 

"  Christian  charity,  or  love,  leads  us  to  desire  union  and  concord 
in  both  civil  and  religious  society,  and  to  follow  peace  with  all 
men.  James  and  John,  two  disciples  of  Christ,  were  very  far 
from  the  exercise  of  this  heavenly  temper  when  they  desired  that 
fire  might  come  down  from  heaven  and  burn  up  the  Samaritans, 
because  they  neglected  the  doctrine  of  our  Saviour ;  and  our  Lord 
sweetly  rebuked  them  by  saying,  '  Ye  know  not  what  manner  of 
spirit  we  are  of  Hence  learn  that  the  temper  of  our  holy  reli- 
gion is  not  to  kill  and  destroy  sinners  and  refractory  brethren, 
but  to  save  them.  The  desirableness  of  union  among  all  saints 
is  sweetly  represented  by  the  Psalmist,  when  he  says,  'Behold 
how  good  and  how  pleasant  a  thing  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity.' 


298  ABSALOM   AVALLER. 

"  But,  it  is  necessary  we  should  remark,  that  it  is  one  thing  to 
love  and  be  charitable  toward  all  men,  and  another  to  form  a 
union  upon  improper  principles.  It  is  surely  a  lamentable  cir- 
cumstance, that  many  professors  of  religion  seem  more  concerned 
about  union  among  societies  than  they  do  about  keeping  the  com- 
mandments of  God.  Although  those  declaimers  about  the  necessity 
of  union  may  appear  in  the  eyes  of  thoughtless  persons  to  possess 
the  very  essence  of  charity,  yet  the  candid  inquirer  after  truth  will 
soon  discover  that  this  enchanting  bait  covers  the  deadly  hook. 
If  Luther  had  listened  to  the  loud  declamations  of  the  Komish 
priest,  respecting  the  necessity  of  union,  the  Reformation  must 
doubtless  have  perished  in  embryo,  since  it  is  evident  the  Pope 
would  have  suffered  him  to  retain  his  principles,  provided  he 
would  have  acquiesced  in  the  voice  and  authority  of  the  holy 
Catholic  Church. 

"The  union  of  saints  who  profess  our  Lord's  faith  and  baptism 
is  radically  different  from  a  union  of  sects  and  parties.  Notwith- 
standing there  maybe  vital  Christians  among  the  various  sects  in  the 
religious  world,  whose  minds  (for  a  season)  may  be  beguiled  by  the 
subtlety  of  the  serpent  and  the  vain  pomp  of  worldly  wisdom  and 
carnal  philosophy,  yet  this  by  no  means  argues  the  propriety  of 
giving  countenance  to  the  traditions  of  men.  Supposing  a  man 
to  be  a  Baptist,  he  is  bound  by  the  laws  of  Christ  and  the  profes- 
sion he  makes  to  believe  that  infant  baptism  is  a  vain  and  useless 
thing,  and  one  of  the  props  and  pillars  of  antichrist ;  and,  conse- 
quently, that  all  Christians  who  believe  in  and  practice  it  are  in 
an  unbaptized  state.  Now  if  a  Baptist,  under  these  impressions, 
should  enter  into  communion  with  other  societies — let  all  say, 
whether  his  conduct  would  not  savor  more  of  hypocrisy  than 
Christian  charity.  The  road  to  union  among  Christians  is  by  the 
highways  of  obedience.  We  should  say  to  professors  of  religion 
who  seem  to  follow  Christ  only  in  part,  We  love  you,  and  we  pity 
your  errors,  but  we  dare  not  countenance  you  in  our  fellowship,  until 
you  are  reconciled  to  follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth. 
Theu,  and  not  till  then,  we  can  take  sweet  counsel  together,  go 
up  to  the  Lord's  house,  and  sit  around  his  table  in  heavenly  con- 
cord." 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  not  unmindful  of  his  personal 


ABSALOM   WALLER.  299 

obligations,  nor  did  he  fail  himself  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  "How  great,"  said  he,  "is  the  re- 
sponsibility of  those  who  preach  the  gospel !  They  watch  for  souls 
as  those  who  must  give  account  at  the  great  tribunal."  Thus,  con- 
templating his  solemn  responsibilities,  he  continued  to  the  close 
of  life,  steadfastly  adhering  to  the  service  of  his  Lord.  He  made 
such  full  proof  of  his  ministry,  that  among  his  brethren  he  was 
regarded  with  high  esteem,  and,  toward  the  close  of  life,  with 
veneration.  For  many  years  he  was  afflicted  with  partial  deaf- 
ness, and  consequently  found  it  difficult  to  engage  in  conversa- 
tion ;  yet  his  opinion  on  difficult  subjects  was  frequently  con- 
sulted. 

His  death  occurred  not  far  from  1820.  The  summons  did  not 
surprise  him.  He  had  long  been  in  readiness  for  his  dismission. 
The  following,  written  some  years  before  his  death,  expresses  the 
feelings  which  he  seemed  habitually  to  cherish,  and  which  were 
peculiarly  manifest  in  the  closing  hour.  He  remarks :  "  Oh  how 
near  is  the  period  when  these  active  limbs  will  slumber  in  the 
grave,  the  land  of  silence,  forever  to  rest !  Forever  did  I  say  ? 
No ;  death,  cruel  death,  thou  mayest  triumph  for  a  season,  and 
lock  my  bones  in  the  prison  of  the  grave,  but  Jesus  will  come,  and 
will  be  thy  plague  and  thy  destruction ;  I  shall  hear  his  voice, 
and  come  forth  from  thine  iron  domains,  and  feeling  in  an  instant 
the  springs  of  an  immortal  body,  I  shall  rise  to  meet  him  in  the 
air." 

The  period  of  his  dissolution  was  indeed  an  hour  of  peace  and 
joy.  He  looked  on  the  grave  not  only  with  composure,  but 
triumph.  He  knew  that  his  Redeemer  lived,  and  felt  happy  in 
the  prospect  of  beholding  his  face  in  righteousness.  His  attendant 
physician  was  much  affected  with  the  rational  and  elevated  joy 
which  he  evinced  as  he  walked  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death. 


300  HENRY  TOLER. 


HENRY   TOLER. 

The  date  of  Elder  Toler's  birth  is  not  known.  He  was  a 
native  of  King  and  Queen  County,  Virginia,  and  remained  in  that 
county  until  he  reached  manhood.  His  parents,  who  were  respecta- 
ble, gave  him  such  an  education  only  as  the  common  schools  of 
the  county  afforded.  Under  the  ministry  of  Elder  John  Courtney 
he  received  in  very  early  life  his  first  religious  impressions,  and 
these  impressions  continued  to  increase  until  they  ultlmated  in  a 
saving  acquaintance  with  God's  plan  of  salvation.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  Upper  College  Church,  and  soon  began  to  speak 
in  public.  Such  were  the  indications  of  genius,  that  he  attracted 
the  attention  of  Counsellor  Robert  Carter,  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  and  among  the  wealthiest  men  in  Yirginia.  Mr. 
Carter  was  so  much  pleased  with  young  Toler,  that  he  prevailed 
on  him  to  remove  to  Pennsylvania,  for  the  purpose  of  improving 
his  mind  under  the  tuition  of  Dr.  Samuel  Jones,  and  generously 
contributed  the  necessary  funds  for  his  support. 

While  at  school  this  young  disciple  applied  himself  to  his  stu- 
dies with  becoming  diligence.  He  made  rapid  proficiency  in  those 
branches  of  learning  which  occupied  his  attention.  Having  re- 
mained at  school  about  three  years,  he  returned  to  his  native 
county,  greatly  improved  in  all  respects.  Shortly  after,  he  was 
ordained.  His  whole  time  was  now  consecrated  to  the  delightful 
employ  of  preaching  Christ  and  him  crucified.  ISTor  did  he  spend 
his  strength  for  naught :  in  various  directions  the  Lord  accompa- 
nied his  ministry  with  almighty  energy,  and  made  it  his  wisdom 
and  power  unto  salvation.  Having  preached  with  much  accept- 
ance in  the  County  of  King  George,  in  1183,  he  was  invited 
statedly  to  visit  them.  He  ultimately  settled  in  that  county. 
After  his  removal,  he  consented,  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  a 
pious  lady,  to  preach  in  Westmoreland.  At  this  period  there 
were  but  two  Baptists  in  the  county,  and  they  were  females.  The 
results  of  this  visit,  and  of  his  future  labors  there,  are  thus  narrated 
by  Elder  Sample,  in  his  History  of  JSToraini  Church:  "In  1783 


HENRY   TOLER.  301 

Elder  Toler  was  invited  by  an  old  lady,  who  had  been  baptized  by 
Mr.  Lunsford,  to  preach  in  the  neighborhood  of  Nomini.  He  went, 
and  but  few  people  attended;  these  were  distant  and  reserved; 
none,  but  a  very  poor  man,  invited  him  to  his  house ;  yet,  how 
unsearchable  are  the  ways  of  God !  This  meeting  was  the  begin- 
ning of  great  events,  as  it  respects  this  neighborhood.  Light 
dawned ;  the  prejudices  of  the  people  wore  off";  several  persons 
of  different  classes  were  converted  and  baptized.  This,  says  Mr. 
Toler,  was  a  gracious,  glorious,  pleasant  time.  Those  whom  he 
had  baptized,  together  with  a  few  others  who  had  been  baptized 
previous  to  his  coming,  were  formed  into  a  church,  April  29,  ItSG, 
having  in  all  seventeen  members.  Elder  Toler  was  chosen  to 
attend  them  as  pastor,  and  in  a  year  or  two  moved  here  to  live. 

"  On  the  same  day,  after  the  constitution  of  the  church,  five 
others  were  baptized ;  and,  at  the  end  of  this  year,  the  number 
was  seventy-three.  In  ITST  it  increased  to  one  hundred  and 
nineteen.  In  1788  to  two  hundred  and  twenty-two.  In  1189  to 
three  hundred.  In  1190  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-one.  In 
IT 91  to  three  hundred  and  forty-eight.  In  1792  to  three 
hundred  and  fifty-four.  In  1793  to  three  hundred  and  fifty-seven. 
In  1794  to  three  hundred  and  sixty-seven.  In  1795  to  four 
hundred  and  eight.  In  1806  the  work  of  God  again  appeared. 
In  a  small  time  it  spread  to  an  extent  beyond  the  former  revival. 
In  three  months  ninety  were  baptized,  and  at  various  times  thirty, 
forty,  fifty,  and  sixty  were  baptized  at  once,  so  that,  from  first  to 
last  in  this  revival,  there  were  added  between  five  and  six  hundred, 
bringing  the  number  up  to  eight  hundred  and  seventy-five.  This 
was  the  most  numerous  church  in  Virginia." 

By  this  extract  the  reader  will  learn  something  of  the  influence 
which  attended  the  ministrations  of  Elder  Toler  in  the  County 
of  Westmoreland.  There  are  yet  living  several  persons  who 
were  the  subjects  of  God's  grace  in  those  revivals.  By  them  the 
memory  of  their  father  in  the  gospel  is  greatly  revered.  They 
still  love  to  speak  of  those  solemn  seasons  when  the  majesty  and 
glory  of  the  Redeemer  were  displayed  in  subduing  his  proudest 
foes,  and  in  making  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness  trium- 
phant where  sin  once  fearfully  abounded. 

The  labors  of  Mr.  T.  were  not  confined  to  the  County  of  West- 

VOL.  I.  26 


302  HENRY   TOLER. 

moreland.  He  traveled  extensively  in  the  upper  counties,  and 
below  in  the  Northern  Neck,  as  well  as  between  the  York  and 
Rappahannock  Rivers.  In  these  journeys  he  was  excessively 
laborious.  "  Few  preachers,"  says  Elder  Semple,  "having  families, 
have  been  more  indefatigable  in  proclaiming  the  gospel  than  Mr. 
Toler."  Between  himself  and  Elder  Lunsford  there  was  for 
many  years  a  most  endearing  intimacy.  They  labored  much 
together.  When  Lunsford  was  taken  to  his  reward  in  heaven,  it 
became  Elder  Toler's  mournful  duty  to  preach  a  funeral  discourse 
at  two  different  places  ;  one  was  delivered  at  Kilmarnock  Meeting- 
house, Lancaster  County,  and  the  other  in  Essex,  the  county  in 
which  he  died.     These  sermons  were  afterwards  published. 

At  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Dover  Association,  Elder  T.  was 
usually  required  to  take  a  prominent  part.  "  I  do  not  think," 
says  one  who  knew  him  Avell,  "that  he  ever  failed  to  attend  the 
Association."  For  several  years  he  was  appointed  their  clerk,  and 
frequently  was  chosen  to  preach  on  Lord's  day.  Some  of  the 
circular  letters  issued  by  this  body  were  written  by  him. 

Notwithstanding  his  successful  labors  in  Westmoreland,  and  his 
high  repute  as  a  preacher,  it  is  melancholy  to  state,  that  those  for 
whose  spiritual  benefit  he  labored  did  not  suitably  contribute  to 
his  temporal  support.  On  this  account  he  was  compelled  to  re- 
move. He  purchased  a  farm  in  Fairfax,  but  finding  himself  un- 
able to  pay  for  it,  he  relinquished  his  title  and  removed  west  of  the 
Blue  Ridge.  Thence  he  emigrated  to  Kentucky.  Thus  the 
claims  of  a  dependent  family  obliged  him  to  seek  a  home  among 
strangers.  In  adopting  this  course  he  followed  the  example  of 
many  of  the  most  talented  and  pious  Yirginia  ministers,  who  re- 
mained in  their  much-loved  native  State,  preaching  for  churches 
without  a  just  renumeration,  until  they  were  driven  to  find  a  liveli- 
hood in  the  rich  lands  of  the  West. 

On  this  subject  he  thus  speaks :  "  Much  is  required  at  the 
hands  of  ministers  without  regard  to  their  inconveniences  or 
sufferings ;  and  for  all  their  services  they  may  sometimes  receive 
the  extraordinary  reward  of  a  little  lifeless  praise,  and,  if  they 
choose  it,  a  rich  Sunday-dinner.  If  they  should  not  appear  well- 
dressed,  they  are  blamed  as  lazy  slovens,  although  they  have  little 
or  no  time  to  work  for  themselves ;  and,  if  they  struggle  hard  and 


HENRY  TOLER.  303 

furnish  themselves  by  their  own  industry,  it  is  either  said  their  ac- 
commodations are  too  good  for  them,  or  that  they  can  very  well 
shift  for  themselves,  and  serve  others  day  and  night  too. " 

This  neglect  of  ministerial  support  has  been  the  reproach  of 
Virginia  Baptists.  To  this  is  to  be  attributed  the  fact,  that  the 
labors  of  many  of  those  who  remain  are  necessarily  divided 
among  three  or  four  churches.  Even  when  this  division  has  been 
allowed,  the  minister  gives  most  of  his  time  and  attention  to 
secular  concerns  to  save  his  family  from  want,  and  preaches 
mostly  on  Lord's  day  to  the  churches  he  serves.  The  pastoral 
office  has  been  reduced  to  a  mere  name.  Even  in  preaching  the 
gospel,  the  mind  becomes  so  much  secularized  that  it  is  disquali- 
fied for  entering  upon  the  work  with  becoming  energy.  It  is 
strange  that  the  duty  of  providing  for  the  necessities  of  their  pas- 
tors should  have  been  so  long  neglected  by  our  brethren,  es- 
pecially as  this  obligation  is  obviously  authorized  by  the  "Word  of 
God.  May  it  be  the  determination  of  all  the  churches  no  longer 
to  allow  such  guilt  to  be  indulged.  They  should  at  once  place 
their  pastor  in  circumstances  of  comfort,  and  require  of  them 
their  entire  services.  Then  would  sufficient  time  be  allowed  to 
"give  attention  to  reading,"  to  visit  from  house  to  house,  to  "re- 
prove, rebuke,  and  exhort  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine." 

To  this  remissness,  of  which  mention  is  here  made,  there  have 
been  some  honorable  exceptions.  A  few  individuals,  who  highly 
prized  the  labors  of  Elder  T.,  contributed  what  they  could  for 
his  support.  A  pious  female  connected  with  the  Nomini  Church, 
at  her  death,  left  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  to  be  annually  applied 
to  his  benefit  as  long  as  he  retained  his  pastoral  relation. 

Concerning  his  talents  as  a  preacher,  it  may  be  said  that  they 
were  above  mediocrity.  He  was  not  as  remarkable  for  vigor  as 
sprightliness  of  mind.  His  style,  though  not  distinguished  for 
clearness,  was  flowing,  and  his  manner  usually  animated  His 
voice  was  clear  and  musical.  He  delighted  much  to  dwell  on 
those  sentiments  of  the  Word  of  God  which  tended  to  abase  man 
and  exalt  the  character  of  Christ. 

As  illustrative  of  his  views  of  the  plan  of  salvation,  the  follow- 
ing is  taken  from  one  of  his  discourses :  "  The  absolution  of  sin 
flows  through  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  the  crucified  I^ord 


304  HENRY   TOLER. 

of  glory,  who,  by  the  mysterious  union  of  his  Divine  and  human 
nature,  became  God  and  man,  in  one  person,  that  he  might  be 
one,  real,  proper  Mediator,  and  in  him  the  infinite  law  might  be 
honored  in  the  complete  salvation  of  sinful  men.  Without  the 
shedding  of  his  blood,  the  smallest  sin  could  not  be  forgiven,  but 
by  it  all  manner  of  sin  shall  be  remitted.  In  wonderful  kindness, 
he  humbled  himself  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross ;  thus  fully  meeting  the  preceptive  and  ending 
the  penal  part  of  the  law,  that  God  may  be  faithful  and  just  to 
forgive  us  our  sins  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness." 

Proceeding  with  this  train  of  thought,  he  says:  "The  sinner, 
being  truly  humbled  and  by  the  power  of  faith  drawn  to  Christ, 
as  a  guilty  offender,  he  receives  a  generous  and  entire  pardon 
from  God,  whose  prerogative  alone  it  is  to  forgive  sin.  He  does 
not  receive  it  because  he  becomes  worthy  of  it  by  sincere  obe- 
dience, repentance,  faith,  or  any  other  thing  in  himself;  for  then  he 
might  demand  it,  and  it  would  not  be  a  pardon  at  all ;  but,  by  the 
atonement  of  Christ.  All  his  sins  of  every  shape  and  size,  his  sins 
of  nature  and  sins  of  practice,  his  more  than  ten  thousand  times 
ten  thousand  complicated  acts  of  rebellion,  are  fully  and  freely 
forgiven,  so  that,  in  this  ocean  of  merit,  every  trace  of  them  is 
drowned  and  sunk  out  of  memory." 

In  these  passages,  culled  from  his  sermon,  the  reader  is  put  in 
possession  of  his  style  and  sentiments.  In  a  certain  sense,  Toler 
himself  is  presented,  and  we  listen  to  him.  Treating  of  the  re- 
luctance with  which  the  sinner  lays  hold  of  the  plan  of  salvation, 
he  observes:  "By  nature  man  is  dead  in  sin,  and  not  only  in 
darkness,  but  darkness  itself.  He  is  entirely  ignorant  of  his  own 
guilt  and  utter  depravity,  as  well  as  the  spotless  purity  and  extent 
of  the  Divine  law.  He  thinks  his  crimes  small  failings,  his  duties 
great  performances,  and  either  trusts  in  some  confused  notions 
of  general  mercy,  or  expects  to  appease  an  offended  God  by  some 
sincere  future  obedience.  When  first  awakened  from  this  sleep 
of  carnal  security,  instead  of  flying,  like  a  dove,  over  his  obstruc- 
tions to  Christ,  he  struggles,  worse  than  a  mole,  to  clear  them  all 
out  of  the  way.  He  must  stop  for  greater  alarms,  for  sharper 
convictions,  to  suffer  more  for  his  sins,  to  experience  sufficient 
humility,  self-mortification,  sanctified  tempers,  that  he  may  render 


ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  305 

himself  an  acceptable  object  of  pity,  before  he  can  venture  to 
come  to  the  Saviour.  But  let  the  sinner  twist  and  shift  as  he 
will,  until  he  does  come  to  Christ,  he  must  be  under  the  curse, 
just  as  naturally  as  the  fire  emitted  from  a  burning  mountain 
would  certainly  consume  him  if  within  its  range,  however  much 
he  might  exert  himself  to  quench  the  flames." 

Extracts  like  these  might  be  multiplied,  exhibiting  his  views  of 
truth  and  manner  of  presenting  them,  but  the  present  limits  will 
not  permit.  It  may  be  sufficient  to  say,  but  few  Baptist  ministers 
in  the  State  entertained  clearer  apprehensions  of  all  those  great 
doctrines  which,  as  a  people,  we  have  delighted  to  cherish,  and 
but  few  have  more  earnestly  and  successfully  defended  them. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  Mr.  Toler,  after  a  long,  labo- 
rious, and  efficient  career  of  usefulness  in  his  native  State,  migrated 
to  the  West.  He  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  Versailles, 
Kentucky,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
March,  1824.  How  far  his  efficiency  was  kept  up  after  the 
change  in  his  position,  the  author  has  no  means  of  determining. 
We  doubt  not  that,  with  Noel,  Semple,  and  Lunsford,  the  asso- 
ciates of  his  earlier  years,  he  now  swells  the  song  of  redemption 
in  the  bright  world  above. 


ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE. 


Robert  Baylor  Semple  was  of  Scotch  descent.  His  father, 
John  Semple,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  in  early  life,  was 
one  of  thirteen  children,  and  the  son  of  very  wealthy  parents. 
According  to  the  custom  of  the  Old  Country,  his  eldest  son  in- 
herited the  whole  estate,  while  the  others  received  as  their  only 
patrimony  a  liberal  education.  Two  of  the  younger  sons,  John 
and  James,  came  to  America,  and  settled  in  Yirginia.  James 
became  a  clergyman  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  was  the  father 
of  the  late  lamented  Judge  Semple,  of  Williamsburg.  John 
Semple  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  and,  after  the  acquisition 

VOL.  J. — u  26  * 


306  ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE. 

of  a  large  property  from  his  profession,  married  Elizabeth  Walker, 
in  1T61. 

R.  B.  Sample,  their  youngest  son,  was  born  at  Rose  Mount, 
King  and  Queen  County,  January  20th,  1769.  His  father  died 
when  Robert  was  only  twelve  months  old.  By  this  event,  Mrs. 
Semple  was  left,  with  four  children,  nearly  penniless.  Having  be- 
come security  on  behalf  of  several  friends  for  a  large  amount,  the 
ample  estate  which  had  been  accumulated  was  nearly  all  required 
to  meet  the  claims  of  creditors.  The  wreck  which  was  left  after 
the  payment  of  debts  was  bequeathed  to  the  eldest  son,  while 
Robert  inherited  nothing  but  the  affectionate  regard  and  guid- 
ance of  his  surviving  parent,  "with,"  as  he  used  afterwards  to 
say,  "the  wide  world  to  seek  his  fortune  in."  This  depression  in 
the  external  circumstances  of  his  family  may  have  been  one  of  the 
necessary  links  in  that  chain  of  events  by  which  God  intended  to 
magnify  the  riches  of  his  providence  and  grace  in  calling  him 
from  darkness  to  light,  and  in  making  him  the  instrument  of 
spiritual  good  to  hundreds  of  his  race. 

Mrs.  Semple  was  a  rigid  adherent  of  the  established  church, 
and  left  no  means  untried  iu  endeavoring  to  instill  into  the  minds 
of  her  children  the  principles  she  had  imbibed.  They  were  regu- 
larly taken  to  public  worship,  and  accustomed  to  all  the  forms  of 
the  church.  Such  was  Robert's  attention  to  the  externals  of  re- 
ligion, when  still  a  youth,  that  both  his  friends  and  he  had  formed 
a  high  estimate  of  his  attainments  in  piety.  After  he  became  a 
ccmverted  man,  and  a  minister,  he  was  heard  frequently  to  allude 
to  the  influence  which  these  early  instructions  produced  on  his 
mind.  Though  pharisaical  pride  was  indulged,  and  his  heart  re- 
mained for  a  time  unchanged,  yet  he  always  considered  that  the 
religious  habits  he  formed  in  the  beginning  of  life  resulted  in 
keeping  his  conscience  tender,  and  prevented  him  from  running 
into  the  vortex  of  skepticism. 

When  quite  young  he  was  placed  at  school  with  a  Mr.  Taylor, 
as  his  mother  cherished  a  peculiar  anxiety  to  give  him  a  good 
education.  The  late  Rev.  Peter  Nelson,  known  throughout 
Lower  Virginia  as  one  of  the  most  distinguished  teachers  of  the 
State,  was  afterwards  his  preceptor  When  Mr.  Nelson  removed 
to  the  Forks  of  Hanover  and  established  an  academy,  Robert's 


EOBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  307 

mother,  unable  to  sustain  the  expense  of  boarding  and  tuition, 
began  to  apprehend  that  she  must  decline  the  purpose  of  edu- 
cating her  son,  excepting  so  far  as  an  opportunity  might  be 
allowed  by  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  But  Mr. 
Nelson,  discovering  in  his  young  pupil  much  sprightliness  and 
a  considerable  aptitude  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  mag- 
nanimously tendered  to  him  his  board  and  tuition  free  of  expense. 
With  Mr.  Nelson  he  studied  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages,  and 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  had  made  such  proficiency  as  to  become 
a  most  valuable  assistant  teacher  in  the  academy. 

Having  finished  the  course  of  studies  prescribed  at  the  academy, 
he  was  recommended  by  his  tutor  and  friend  as  well  qualified  to 
conduct  the  education  of  youth,  and  obtained  a  situation  in  a 
private  family.  Here  he  commenced  the  study  of  law.  No  one, 
acquainted  with  his  natural  vigor  of  mind  and  his  powers  of  dis- 
crimination, could  doubt  that  in  this  profession  he  might  have 
risen  to  distinguished  eminence.  But  He  who  has  the  hearts  of 
all  men  in  His  hands  had  determined  to  elevate  him  to  a  distinc- 
tion still  higher,  by  calling  him  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  ever- 
lasting gospel.  His  was  to  be  the  noble  work  of  vindicating  the 
ways  of  God  to  man,  and  to  plead  with  guilty  rebels  to  be  recon- 
ciled to  their  sovereign.  While  prosecuting  his  studies,  prepara- 
tory to  the  practice  of  law,  notwithstanding  the  influence  of 
maternal  instruction,  he  became  strongly  tinctured  with  the  sen- 
timents of  infidelity.  In  these  he  sought  refuge  from  the  occa- 
sional convictions  of  guilt  which  he  experienced.  Frequently  was 
he  lured  from  the  path  of  morality,  in  which,  in  his  earlier  years, 
he  had  been  accustomed  to  walk.  Being  necessarily  thrown  into 
the  society  of  the  gay  and  wicked,  he  was  tempted  to  indulge  in 
their  practices.  To  paralyze  the  strokes  of  conscience,  an  endea- 
vor was  made  to  disbelieve  the  truths  of  the  Bible ;  but  still  he 
was  restless  and  unhappy.  According  to  his  own  confession  he 
was  often  compelled,  amid  the  frivolities  of  the  ball-room,  to  seek 
relief  by  retiring  to  pray. 

During  this  period  of  painful  contest  between  conscience  and 
inclination  he  sought  opportunities  to  converse  on  religious  sub- 
jects. So  far  as  he  was  inclined  to  believe  in  the  reality  of 
inspired  truth,  he  urgently  defended  the  forms  of  the  established 


308  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

church.  About  this  time  the  Baptists  were  much  prospered  in 
their  attempts  to  save  men  from  the  delusions  of  sin.  Although, 
for  the  most  part,  their  ministers  were  men  of  limited  attainments, 
yet  they  possessed  strong  native  sense,  and  ardent,  humble  piety, 
while  the  Lord  was  with  them,  bringing  many,  through  their 
means,  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Mr.  Semple  seems  to  have 
indulged  quite  a  contemptible  opinion  of  them  and  their  system. 
Among  others  whom  he  encountered  in  argument  was  a  pious  and 
aged  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  by  the  name  of  William 
Skelton,  who  resided  near  him.  This  man,  being  an  industrious 
and  respectable  citizen,  though  unskilled  in  science,  became  the 
subject  of  Mr.  Semple's  sympathy.  He  was  regarded  as  a  deluded 
enthusiast,  and  was  visited  by  his  youthful  friend  with  the  avowed 
purpose  of  convincing  him  of  the  error  of  his  way  and  restoring 
him  to  the  bosom  of  the  church  from  which  he  had  departed.  In 
the  execution  of  this  purpose,  Mr.  Semple  plied  his  arguments 
with  warmth  and  skill ;  but  he  failed  to  change  the  mind  of  the 
aged  disciple.  His  arrows  were  pointless.  To  his  utter  astonish- 
ment, he  found  this  man's  mind  well  stored  with  scriptural  know- 
ledge. He  could  not  gainsay  or  resist  the  truth,  which,  in 
simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  was  brought  to  bear  on  his  under- 
standing and  his  heart.  He  determined  to  make  himself  more 
familiar  with  the  Bible,  and  doubted  not  that  he  should  be  able 
still  to  triumph  over  his  opponent.  The  controversy  was  renewed, 
but  with  the  same  result.  Mr.  Skelton  extorted  from  him  a 
promise,  at  the  close  of  the  second  interview,  that  he  would  care- 
fully read  the  New  Testament,  and  note  all  the  passages  which 
related  to  the  points  in  dispute.  This  examination  was  produc- 
tive of  lasting  good.  "  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect — converting 
the  soul."  The  whole  character  of  the  young  disputant  was  now 
changed.  He  was  no  longer  the  petulant  cavalier  or  the  self- 
approving  Pharisee,  but  the  humble,  broken-hearted  inquirer. 
His  proud  heart  was  subdued ;  for  he  saw,  what  to  him  was  before 
unknown,  that  he  was  a  ruined  sinner  and  deserved  to  perish. 
Now,  the  sentiments  which  had  been  advanced  and  vindicated  by 
his  aged  neighbor  were  seen  to  be  truths  of  lasting  importance. 
The  further  his  investigations  were  pursued  the  more  wretched 
he  became,  until  the  plan  of  salvation,  in  all  its  simplicity  and 


ROBERT  B.  SExMPLE.  -  309 

fullness,  was  beheld  and  trusted  in  by  him.  A  new  world  was 
opened  to  his  vision;  Christ  was  made  unto  him  wisdom,  right- 
eousness, sanctification,  and  redemption,  and  became,  in  his  esti- 
mation, the  chief  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely. 

In  adverting  to  the  means  by  which  the  spirit  of  Grod  eifected 
a  change  in  the  heart  of  this  young  formalist,  a  number  of 
important  suggestions  occur  to  the  mind.  The  first  is,  the  so- 
vereignty of  Divine  grace.  Here  is  an  individual  presenting 
himself  in  the  attitude  of  an  opposer ;  he  wages  war  against  God 
and  his  Christ,  and  God  subdues,  not  by  confining  him  in  chains 
of  darkness,  but  by  taking  away  his  stony  heart  and  giving  him  a 
heart  of  flesh.  God's  purpose  is  accomplished,  too,  not  by  human 
wisdom  or  human  eloquence,  but  in  the  manifestation  of  truth  by 
a  plain,  uneducated  farmer.  Another  thought  deserves  to  be 
remembered :  the  Christian  knows  not  what  grand  results  may 
grow  out  of  his  endeavors  to  do  good,  however  feeble.  An  old 
man,  with  no  capacity  to  encounter  the  learning  and  wit  by  which 
he  was  assailed,  might  have  satisfied  his  conscience  with  the  utter 
hopelessness  of  making  an  impression.  He  might  have  appre- 
hended only  an  exposure  of  the  cause  he  wished  to  defend,  or  the 
fear  of  exposing  his  own  ignorance  might  have  prompted  him  to 
keep  silence.  But  no ;  he  determined  to  open  his  mouth  boldly,  and 
speak  on  behalf  of  Him  in  whom  he  trusted  and  whom  he  loved. 
And  what  was  the  result  ?  A  soul  is  converted.  An  individual 
is  brought  over  from  the  enemy  who  is  to  become  a  leader  in  the 
army  of  the  Lord,  and  through  whom  many  are  to  be  won  to  the 
standard  of  the  Prince  of  peace.  The  most  obscure  follower  of 
Christ  may,  by  a  well-timed  conversation,  or  a  single  word  uttered 
in  a  right  spirit,  be  the  occasion  of  events  intimately  or  remotely 
connected  with  the  eternal  well-being  of  thousands  of  his  race. 

But  to  return  to  the  narrative.  The  subject  of  this  biography 
was  not  simply  delivered  from  the  wrath  to  come  and  adopted 
into  the  heavenly  family ;  his  grateful  spirit  submitted  with  joy 
to  the  Redeemer's  sway,  and  his  prayer  was,  "  Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  He  sought  his  duty  from  the  pages  of 
inspiration,  and,  contrary  to  early  prepossessions,  determined  to 
attach  himself  to  that  sect  which  pre-eminently,  in  his  day,  was 
everywhere  spoken  against.     In  taking  this  step  he  had  nothing 


310  ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE, 

to  gain  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  and  the  approbation 
of  God;  while,  in  respect  to  temporal  things,  there  was  every 
prospect  of  sustaining  loss.  But  for  the  excellency  of  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord,  he  was  willing  to  count  all  things 
loss.  He  was  baptized  in  December,  ITSg,  by  Elder  Theodorick 
Noel,  and  joined  the  Upper  King  and  Queen  Church. 

The  same  month  he  began  publicly  to  testify  to  the  faithfulness 
of  the  saying,  "That  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners."  It  has  been  before  stated,  that  at  the  time  of  his  con- 
version he  was  qualifying  himself  for  the  practice  of  law.  When 
the  excellence  and  love  of  Christ  were  revealed  to  his  soul,  he 
immediately  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  relinquished 
the  hope  of  worldly  elevation,  that  he  might  preach  among  his 
fellow-men  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  His  first  attempt 
was  made  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Loury,  Caroline  County,  December 
24th ;  and  it  is  said  this  effort  was  far  from  giving  promise  of 
eminence  as  a  preacher.  A  late  distinguished  statesman  and 
lawyer  being  present  at  this  time,  expressed  himself  very  freely 
concerning  the  sermon,  and  predicted  that  young  Semple  would 
never,  in  the  character  of  a  minister,  gain  the  attention  of  the 
community.  On  the  same  occasion  a  ministering  brother,  still 
living,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches,  preached  his  first  discourse. 
Although  Elder  Semple  commenced  the  solemn  work  in  much 
weakness  and  with  trembling,  he  was  not  discouraged.  He  was 
willing  to  sacrifice  his  pride  while  he  could  entertain  the  hope  of 
doing  something  to  promote  the  cause  and  glory  of  his  Master. 
The  characteristic  decision  which  he  exhibited  through  life  was 
evinced  in  his  earliest  efforts.  His  second  discourse  was  delivered 
at  a  private  house,  from  Hebrews,  ii.  1.  One  who  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  ascertaining  something  of  his  juvenile  attempts,  remarks 
that  "his  manner  was  extremely  awkward,  and  his  ideas,  though 
obvious  to  his  audience  to  be  clear  and  well  conceived,  were 
expressed  with  a  labored  and  unpleasant  gesticulation."  Encou- 
ragement may  be  furnished,  in  his  example,  to  young  licentiates  to 
persevere  in  determined  endeavors  to  improve  in  style  and  manner. 
For  several  months  this  young  disciple  labored  in  the  neighbor- 
hoods adjacent  to  his  own  home  with  great  zeal.  In  1190, 
Bruington  Church  was  constituted  in  King  and  Queen,  under  the 


EGBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  311 

instrumentality  of  that  excellent  man,  Elder  James  Greenwood. 
After  their  constitution  they  unanimously  called  the  subject  of 
this  memoir  to  take  the  oversight  of  them.  On  the  26th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1790,  a  Presbytery,  consisting  of  Elders  Robert  Ware, 
Theodorick  Noel,  and  Iverson  Lewis,  proceeded  to  examine  and 
ordain  him  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  He  continued  to 
sustain  the  pastoral  relation  to  Bruington  Church  as  long  as  he 
lived,  a  period  of  forty  years. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1793,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ann  Loury,  daughter  of  Col.ThomasLoury,  of  Caroline  County.  A 
few  mouths  previous  this  estimable  young  lady  had  attached  herself  ^ 
to  the  Baptist  Church,  and  had  given  the  most  indubitable  evidence 
of  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  Her  husband  was  often  heard  to 
express  gratitude  for  the  direction  of  his  Heavenly  Father  in  this 
event.  She  was  a  help-meet  indeed.  They  commenced  the  mar- 
ried life  without  property,  but  being  vigorous  in  health,  and  inde- 
pendent in  their  feelings,  they  determined,  by  industry  and  rigid 
economy,  to  avoid  embarrassment,  that  he  might  more  fully  prose- 
cute the  duties  of  the  ministry.  This  was  rendered  the  more  dif- 
ficult as  they  had  both  been  accustomed  to  move  in  affluent  society. 
After  two  or  three  temporary  removals,  they  ultimately  settled  in 
King  and  Queen  County,  on  a  farm  called  Mordington.  Here 
they  spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives.  At  this  place,  for  a 
number  of  years,  he  conducted  a  school.  As  an  instructor  of 
youth  he  was  much  approved,  and  highly  useful.  In  this  employ- 
ment, in  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  a  farm,  he  was  soon 
placed  in  very  comfortable  circumstances,  and  before  the  close  of 
life  had  acquired  considerable  property. 

In  a  few  years  after  the  entrance  of  Elder  Semple  into  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  it  was  the  will  of  Grod  that  he  should  attain  a  very 
high  reputation  among  all  classes  of  men.  [N'otwithstanding  his 
necessary  confinement  in  school,  he  made  extensive  and  frequent 
tours  throaghout  all  parts  of  Lower  Virginia,  preaching  the  gos- 
pel and  confirming  the  disciples.  His  visits  to  the  churches  were 
eminently  blessed.  Itinerant  labors  like  these  he  continued  until 
the  close  of  life.  His  regular  ministrations,  however,  were  con- 
fined to  King  and  Queen,  and  King  "William  Counties.  Within 
this  region  a  number  of  infant  churches  had  been  originated  when 


312  ROBEUT   B..SEMPLE. 

he  began  his  ministerial  career.  These  churches,  chiefly  under  his 
instrumentality,  were  greatly  enlarged,  embracing  many  of  the 
most  intelligent  classes  of  society.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the 
minutes  of  the  Dover  Association  do  not,  for  a  number  of  years, 
give  the  statistics  of  the  churches,  by  which  might  be  ascertained 
something  of  the  increase  in  those  regions  occupied  by  Elder 
Semple. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  addressed  to  a  Christian  friend, 
alludes  to  the  state  of  things  in  his  congregations  in  1822  :  "  To- 
morrow I  am  to  attend  at  Upper  King  and  Queen,  (one  of  the 
churches  of  my  pastoral  care,)  for  the  purpose  of  baptizing  fifteen 
or  twenty  persons  recently  converted,  and  at  the  same  place,  in 
July,  I  baptized  twenty-three  in  one  day.  This,  I. am  sure  you 
will  say,  is  good  news ;  I  can  also  say  of  them  that  few  revivals  in 
my  acquaintance  furnish  characters  of  whom  stronger  hopes  may 
be  entertained  of  their  wearing  well.  Although  many  of  them  are 
the  poor  of  this  world,  I  feel  persuaded  they  are  rich  in  grace.  In 
another  church  of  my  care  a  revival  has  gone  on  for  some  months, 
chiefly  among  the  people  of  color.  About  one  hundred  and  seven- 
teen have  been  baptized,  of  whom  more  than  one  hundred  are 
colored ;  I  wish  my  hopes  of  these  were  as  sanguine  as  they  are 
in  respect  to  the  subjects  of  the  other  revival.  So  closely  are 
ignorance  and  superstition  united,  that  I  find  it  hard  to  keep  these 
poor  creatures  from  building  upon  visions  and  dreams.  In  many 
of  them,  however,  the  clearest  evidences  are  furnished  of  a  work 
of  grace.  In  Bruington  Church,  the  other  church  of  my  care,  we 
have  had  rather  a  warm  season  for  about  twelve  months  past,  and 
during  that  time  have  baptized  about  thirty ;  of  whom  many  were 
persons  of  high  standing  in  civil  society.  When  in  York,  last 
May,  I  baptized  two  ladies,  from  whom  I  entertain  great  hopes  of 

usefulness.     They  are  Mrs.  B ,  and  Eliza  P ,  my  niece.    I 

correspond  with  them,  and  Eliza  writes  to  my  daughter :  from 
their  letters,  as  well  as  their  conversation,  I  entertain  these  hopes 
They  seem  to  be  very  pious." 

An  interesting  fact  may  be  inferred  from  the  above  letter,  which 
deserves  the  attention  of  the  biographer  Not  only  were  the  in- 
telligent, refined,  and  wealthy  brought  under  the  influence  of  his 
ministry,  but  the  ignorant  and  the  indigent.    They  shared  largely 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  313 

in  his  sympathies  and  ministrations.  It  is  said  some  of  his  hap- 
piest moments  were  spent  in  the  cabins  of  the  poor,  while  recom- 
mending to  them  the  Divine  Saviour,  who  humbled  himself  that 
they  might  be  rich.  Hundreds  of  those  who  occupied  the  hum- 
bler walks  of  life  were  accustomed  to  hail  him  as  their  spiritual 
father,  their  counsellor  and  friend. 

Until  1Y83  there  was  but  one  Association  in  Yirginia,  called 
the  General  Association.  This  body  was  then  divided  into  four 
districts,  and  the  General  Committee  organized.  While  the  four 
District  Associations  met  regularly,  to  consult  the  welfare  of  the 
individual  churches,  they  each  appointed  four  delegates  to  the 
General  Committee,  to  deliberate  on  the  interests  of  the  denomi- 
nation at  large.  This  was  dissolved  in  1*794,  but  in  1800  repre- 
sentatives were  appointed  by  several  Associations,  and  the  Gene- 
ral Meeting  of  Correspondence  was  formed.  Elder  Sample  was 
usually  a  delegate  from  the  Dover  Association,  and  in  1808  he 
was  appointed  their  Moderator.  In  this  office  he  continued  until 
its  dissolution.  From  his  entrance  into  the  ministry  he  was  one 
of  the  most  regular  attendants  at  the  Dover  Association.  It  is 
doubtful  whether  he  was  absent  from  any  one  meeting  for  the 
space  of  forty  years.  This  Association,  the  largest  in  America, 
and  perhaps  in  the  world,  owes  much  of  its  efficiency  to  his  exer- 
tions. At  an  early  period  he  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  con- 
tinued to  receive  this  appointment  from  year  to  year,  until  his 
death. 

In  the  early  efforts  of  the  Baptist  denomination  to  send  abroad 
the  gospel  among  the  heathen.  Elder  Semple  became  deeply  in- 
terested. His  benevolence  was  enlarged,  like  that  of  Christ, 
embracing  the  whole  world.  He  thus  refers  to  the  subject  of  mis- 
sions : — 

"  The  whole  glory  of  the  salvation  of  sinners  is  due  to  God  ; 
but  the  means  must  be  used  by  his  people.  Go  ye  and  preach, 
said  Christ,  and  I  will  be  with  you.  Do  you  use  the  outward 
means,  and  I  will  make  them  effectual.  To  preach  is  the  duty 
of  the  preacher ;  but  are  there  not  duties  incumbent  upon  others 
as  well  as  preachers  ?  Doubtless  there  are  :  nothing  is  plainer  in 
the  Scriptures  than  that  ministers  must  not  go  on  this  warfare  at 
their  own  charges.     But  missionaries  differ  from  stated  pastors, 

VOL.  I.  27 


314  EGBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

They  have  to  go  out  into  the  world  to  preach.  Pastors  preach 
to  churches  who  will  feel  themselves  bound  in  justice  to  support 
them.  The  question  then  is,  are  any  bound  to  aid  in  the  support 
of  missionaries  whom  they  are  never  to  hear  ?  We  answer,  not 
by  the  principles  of  justice  ;  yet,  they  are  bound  by  the  principles 
of  charity ;  that  charity  which  seeketh  not  his  own  and  loveth  his 
neighbor  as  himself.  Who  that  feels  (as  a  Christian  ought  to 
feel)  for  the  wretched  state  of  mankind,  starving  for  the  bread  of 
life,  but  will  be  willing  to  throw  into  common  stock  his  money,  or 
his  services,  or  both,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  their  wants,  by 
sending  them  the  gospel  ?  This  is  Divine  generosity.  It  is  alms 
of  the  highest  grade,  on  which  a  rich  reward  awaits. 

"  In  order  to  concentrate  the  energies  of  the  friends  of  the  gos- 
pel, missionary  societies  have  been  formed  in  various  parts  of  the 
earth.  The  individuals  of  these  societies  combine  their  efforts  to 
'send  the  gospel  into  destitute  places,  whether  heathen  or  nominally 
Christian.  Preachers  are  sent  out  under  their  direction,  and  are 
supported  or  compensated  from  their  funds.  These  funds  are 
raised  by  the  contributions  of  the  members  of  these  societies,  by 
private  donations,  and  by  public  collections,  etc.  These  measures, 
like  all  others  requiring  money,  have  met  with  opposition.  Where 
is  the  Scripture  proof  ?  say  some.  We  answer,  abundant  proof 
is  to  be  found  in  the  ISTew  Testament. 

"  The  Lord  Jesus  himself,  while  preaching  the  gospel,  received 
support  by  the  contributions  of  his  followers.  See  Luke,  viii. 
23.  After  his  ascension,  his  disciples,  impelled  by  a  holy  desire 
for  the  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  by  Divine  charity,  cast  all  they 
had  into  one  common  stock.  This  might  very  properly  be  called 
a  missionary  fund,  by  the  aid  of  which  the  gospel  was  propagated 
in  Jewish  and  heathen  countries.  And  hence  the  Apostle  says  to 
the  Gentile  churches,  their  debtors  they  are.  See  Romans,  viii. 
27.  The  Gentile  converts,  on  their  part,  repaid  the  debt,  by 
sending  aid  to  the  Jewish,  impoverished  by  their  extraordinary 
liberality.  The  church  at  Philippi  is  applauded  by  Paul  as 
having  been  the  first  among  the  Macedonian  churches  who  con- 
tributed to  his  necessities  ;  and  still  more  commends  them  because 
they  had  done  this  once  and  again.  Right  reason  speaks  the  same 
sentiment.    Can  anything  be  more  reasonable  than  to  contribute. 


ROBEET  B.  SEMPLE.  315 

for  godly  purposes,  a  part  of  the  abundance  which  God  gives  us  ? 
Can  we  receive  from  him  so  much  as  to  be  able  to  fare  sumptu- 
ously every  day  at  home  ;  show  finely  abroad  ;  expend  hundreds 
in  the  education  and  dress  of  our  sons  and  daughters ;  build  fine 
houses,  etc. ;  and,  even  after  such  expenditures,  have  wherewithal 
to  make  purchases  of  lands,  etc., — shall  we  be  thus  kindly  treated 
by  him,  and  refuse  or  neglect  to  make  any  return,  by  contributing 
out  of  this  abundance  for  the  advancement  of  his  cause  ?  ISTothing 
would  be  more  unreasonable.  Objections  have  been  raised  upon 
the  ground  of  practicability.  Is  it  not  a  hopeless  undertaking  ? 
say  they.  No !  by  no  means.  G-reat  success  has  already  attended 
the  efforts  of  missionary  societies. " 

Elder  Semple  was  among  the  first  in  Yirginia  to  engage  in  the 
delightful  work  of  promoting  the  mission  cause.  To  his  in- 
fluence, in  a  great  measure,  is  to  be  ascribed  the  regard  which 
was  manifested  by  many  individuals  and  churches  toward  this 
object.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  meeting  of  the  Baptist 
General  Convention,  and  afterwards  uniformly  attended,  to  the 
period  of  his  death.  Whoever  else  might  be  absent  from  the 
anniversaries  of  Yirginia  missionary  societies.  Elder  Semple  was 
always  in  his  place.  From  the  origin  of  the  Richmond  Foreign 
and  Domestic  Society  (afterwards  the  Yirginia  Baptist  Missionary 
Society)  he  was  its  most  active  and  devoted  friend.  For  a  series 
of  years  he  presided  at  their  annual  meetings.  The  General 
Association  of  Yirginia,  for  supplying  the  destitute  parts  of  the 
State,  had  also  a  large  share  of  his  affections.  He  was  usually 
Moderator  of  this  body  and  President  of  its  Board  of  Managers. 
'Nov  was  he  less  interested  in  the  cause  of  education.  Indeed, 
every  object  which  promised  to  be  advantageous  to  his  fellow- 
men  met  his  most  cordial  approbation.  He  acted  upon  the 
general  principle  that  it  was  right  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  as  far 
as  he.  had  opportunity. 

To  do  good  was  his  delight.  It  may  not  be  inappropriate 
here  to  insert  a  few  sentences  written  by  him,  expressive  of  the 
interest  he  took  in  the  subject  of  colonization  : — 

"If  the  colonization  plan  should  fully  succeed,  a  radical  change 
for  the  better  will  be  effected  in  three  distinct  nations  :  our  own 
nation  will  be  rid  of  a  most  deadly  evil ;  the  African  race  among 


316  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

US  will  take  their  stand  as  an  independent,  civilized  people,  culti- 
vating the  soil,  and  breathing  the  air  which  Heaven  seems  to  have 
destined  for  them ;  the  savage  tribes  on  the  African  continent 
will,  through  them,  rise  to  refinement  and  civilization  ;  and,  what 
is  infinitely  better,  will  acquire  a  knowledge  of  that  gospel  which 
brings  life  and  immortality  to  light.  Why  should  not  our  free 
colored  population  go  back  to  the  land  of  their  forefathers  ?  It 
is  believed  that  the  Jews  are  again  to  possess  the  country  given 
them  of  God.  If  the  sons  of  Abraham  are  to  return  to  the 
sepulchres  of  their  fathers,  why  not  the  sons  of  Ham  ?  Both 
these  people  have  for  centuries  suffered  the  chastisement  of 
offended  Providence  ;  both  have  been  preserved  a  separate  people 
in  the  bosom  of  other  nations.  Will  the  Father  of  mercies, 
whose  loving-kindness  is  to  be  seen  even  in  his  chastisements — 
will  he  be  angry  forever  with  the  one  people,  and  ultimately  show 
forgiveness  to  the  other  ?  But  I  am  reminded  that  it  is  a  deli- 
cate subject,  and  must  be  treated  cautiously.  Yery  true !  No 
people  can  be  more  aware  of  that  than  Virginians  ;  and,  I  think, 
no  Virginian  more  than  myself  When  I  say  or  do  anything  on 
this  delicate  subject,  I  strive  to  call  up  my  soundest  discretion,  to 
think  again  and  again  ;  and  lest,  after  all,  I  may  be  misled  by 
some  vain  imagination,  I  endeavor  to  ask  wisdom  of  the  Father 
of  lights.  Such  should  be  the  course  of  all.  It  is,  however,  one 
thing  to  act  with  caution,  great  caution,  and  another,  and  a  very 
different  thing,  not  to  act  at  all.  We  must  not  abstain  from 
doing  good  lest  our  good  should  be  evil  spoken  of.  The  way  is, 
indeed,  narrow  and  perilous  ;  and  fiery  spirits  may  pull  down  evils 
upon  themselves  and  others  ;  yet  the  wise  and  prudent  may  walk 
the  same  way  and  effect  much  good  without  any  evil.  The  late 
disaster  in  Liberia  is  indeed  discouraging ;  but  a  kind  Providence 
can  easily  remedy  the  evil.  The  Israelites  had  to  go  through 
many  purgations  before  they  could  settle  in  peace  in  the  promised 
land.     So  had  the  American  Colonies." 

Among  other  objects  that  engaged  the  attention  of  Elder  Sem- 
ple  was  the  Columbian  College,  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
This  institution  became  deeply  involved  in  debt,  and  its  existence 
as  a  Baptist  College  seriously  periled.  To  save  it  from  ruin,  and 
restore  public  confidence  and  patronage,  it  was  found  necessary 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  317 

that  some  individual  of  known  integrity,  judgment,  and  industry 
should  be  selected  to  take  charge  of  its  financial  concerns.  The 
eyes  of  the  board  were  directed  to  Semple,  and  he  was  pressingly 
invited  to  assume  this  responsibility.  In  considering  the  pro- 
priety of  accepting  the  appointment,  he  saw  that  ties  most  power- 
ful must  be  sundered,  and  many  painful  sacrifices  made.  But  he 
yielded  to  the  convictions  of  duty,  and  determined,  at  least  for  a 
time,  to  remove  to  the  City  of  Washington.  This  removal  took 
place  in  July,  1827.  In  this  station,  as  President  of  the  Board, 
he  remained  until  the  period  of  his  death.  With  his  charac- 
teristic diligence  and  energy  he  prosecuted  the  important  work 
committed  to  his  hands,  and  the  whole  denomination  were  in- 
spired with  hope  that  the  College  would  soon  be  relieved  from  its 
embarrassments.  In  a  letter  from  Elder  Abner  W.  Clopton, 
dated  College  Hill,  October  29th,  1828,  reference  to  this  subject 
is  made  in  the  following  language  :  "Dr.  Semple,  the  main-spring, 
the  very  soul  of  the  institution,  is  still  here ;  and  with  the 
vigilant  concern  and  unwearied  activity  of  an  honest,  faithful,  and 
tender  parent,  is  endeavoring  to  arrange,  and  pay  off  as  rapidly 
as  the  means  can  be  obtained,  the  enormous  and  chaotic  mass  of 
debts.  Scarcely  any  other  man  in  our  denomination,  though 
many  others  possess  excellency  of  character,  could  have  entered 
upon  this  herculean  task  with  any  hope  of  success.  Perhaps  no 
other,  while  scarcely  sun  or  moon  or  star  shed  a  beam  of  light 
through  the  threatening  clouds,  would  have  remained  firm  at  his 
post."  The  cheering  anticipations  expressed  in  this  extract,  and 
indulged  by  all  the  friends  of  the  institution,  were  not  realized. 
He  who  overrules  all  events  saw  it  best  to  remove  his  servant  from 
the  sphere  he  occupied  on  earth  to  the  rest  of  heaven. 

It  becomes  proper  to  refer  to  the  labors  of  Brother  Semple  as 
an  author.  Some  time  in  1809  he  published  a  catechism  for  the 
use  of  children,  which  was  highly  approved.  In  1810  his  prin- 
cipal work,  the  History  of  Yirginia  Baptists,  with  several  biogra- 
phical notices  appended,  was  issued  from  the  pre^s. 

This  history  must  have  cost  its  author  much  expense  of  time 
and  labor  in  the  collection  of  materials,  as  well  as  in  its  prepara- 
tion for  the  public  eye.  There  might  be  found  by  the  critic  some 
defects  in  the  style  of  this  work,  and  it  is  questionable  whether 

21  * 


318  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

the  references  which  were  made  to  men  then  living  were  not  calcu- 
lated to  have  an  unhappy  tendency.  In  presenting  it  to  the 
public, he  employs  the  following  language:  "Unless  the  compiler 
is  wholly  deceived  in  himself,  his  attempt  to  write  a  history  of  the 
Virginia  Baptists  did  not  spring  either  from  the  love  of  money 
or  the  love  of  fame.  To  say  that  these  things  never  entered  his 
thoughts,  would  be  saying  what  no  one  would  believe.  His 
motive  was  an  ardent  wish  for  the  prosperity  of  truth,  which  he 
really  thought  could  be  greatly  promoted  by  a  plain  and  simple 
exhibition  of  God's  dealings  toward  his  people.  The  rise  and 
rapid  spread  of  the  Baptists  in  Virginia  were  so  remarkable,  that 
there  are  but  few  who  do  not  believe  that  some  historical  relation 
of  them  will  be  productive  of  real  advantage  to  true  religion. 
So  much  were  our  revolutionary  reformers  persuaded  of  this,  that 
they  made  arrangements  as  early  as  1*778  to  collect  materials  and 
publish  a  history ;  as  may  be  seen  by  turning  to  our  history  of 
the  Proceedings  of  the  General  Committee.  If  his  book  does 
not  recommend  itself  by  its  deep  erudition,  polished  style,  or 
rhetorical  flights,  he  thinks  that  it  possesses  qualities  that  are 
more  valuable  in  such  a  work.  Candor  and  simplicity  in  church 
history  appear  to  the  author  properties  of  primary  importance. 
He  has  faithfully  recorded  the  foibles  and  failures,  as  well  as  the 
virtues  and  praises  of  his  own  people." 

Xo  doubt  an  important  benefit  was  conferred  on  the  denomina- 
tion by  the  publication  of  this  history.  It  enabled  the  churches 
to  become  more  familiar  with  each  other's  rise  and  progress,  and 
tended  to  bind  them  together  in  a  closer  and  more  endearing 
fellowship.  It  was  important,  too,  that  the  peculiarly  interesting 
circumstances  which  accompanied  the  origin  and  early  history  of 
the  Baptists  in  Virginia  should  be  made  known  to  the  world.  In 
addition  to  these  works,  it  devolved  on  Elder  Semple  to  become 
the  biographer  of  the  lovely  and  lamented  Straughan.  This 
memoir  was  well  executed,  and  reflected  much  credit  on  its 
author.  He  was  also  frequently  appointed  to  write  the  circular 
letters  of  the  Dover  Association.  All  these  are  good,  containing 
much  valuable  matter,  and  two  or  three  of  them  may  be  called 
superior. 

Elder  Semple  was  never  distinguished  as  a  controversial  writer. 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  319 

Had  he  turned  his  attention  particularly  to  polemics,  he  doubtless 
might  have  excelled.  But  he  was  always  more  disposed  to 
engage  in  some  work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love,  than  to  spend  his 
time  in  vexatious  controversy.  It  has  been  thought  by  some,  that 
his  letters  in  reply  to  Mr.  Campbell  had  rather  an  injurious  influ- 
ence. These  letters  were  too  hastily  written,  and,  moreover,  in 
his  early  correspondence  with  that  wily  errorist,  there  was  too 
much  of  disposition  to  recognize  him  as  a  Christian  brother; 
defective,  indeed,  in  some  of  his  views,  but  not  in  essential  mat- 
ters. This  discussion  inclined  many  in  Lower  Virginia  to  become 
readers  of  Mr.  Campbell's  periodical,  some  of  whom  were  led 
away  by  his  enticing  words.  It  must  not  be  understood  that 
Elder  Semple  thought  lightly  of  these  errors.  In  one  of  his 
communications  he  speaks  of  Mr.  Campbell's  views  as  consti- 
tuting "  one  of  the  most  poisonous  schemes  that  the  present  gene- 
ration has  witnessed." 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  him,  addressed  to  the 
editor  of  the  Herald,  deserves  a  place  here.  Referring  to  a  con- 
ference of  churches  which  had  previously  met,  and  adopted  reso- 
lutions against  this  system,  he  says:  "Let  it  be  distinctly 
remembered  that  there  are  certain  great  leading  truths  which 
constitute  the  essence  of  Christianity.  Put  off  these,  and  adopt 
anything  else  in  the  place  of  them,  (no  matter  what,)  and  you 
lose  everything  in  the  character  of  a  Christian  worth  having. 
You  may  retain  the  name  and  the  forms  of  godliness,  but  you 
deny  the  power  thereof  A  word  with  regard  to  the  season ;  was 
it  the  proper  time  ?  had  suitable  forbearance  been  exercised  ?  I 
would  answer,  years  have  elapsed  since  this  religious  leprosy 
made  its  appearance,  and  became  dangerous  to  our  religious  body. 
Having  watched  its  progress  and  perceived  its  malignant  effects, 
the  most  experienced  disciplinarians  became  satisfied  that  the 
time  had  fully  arrived  when  measures  should  be  adopted  to  put 
out  from  among  us  those  who  clearly  and  obstinately  adhered  to 
a  system  so  unlike  the  real  gospel.  It  is  believed  by  the  most 
dispassionate,  that  if  there  be  any  error,  it  has  been  in  being  too 
tardy  in  resorting  to  the  proper  measures.  In  Kentucky,  where 
the  erroneous  system  spread  more  alarmingly  than  in  Yirginia, 
strong  measures  have  been  adopted;  and  it  is  said  to  have  pro- 


320  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

duced  very  desirable  effects.  Another  question  will  be  asked.  Is 
this  the  proper  course  ?  I  answer,  under  existing  circumstances, 
it  does  appear  to  me  to  be  the  wisest  course  that  could  be  pursued. 
The  evil  having  become  general,  something  like  a  general  remedy 
was  plainly  called  for.  Associations  are  looked  at  with  a  jealous 
eye  by  many  excellent  men.  These  being  periodical  bodies,  it 
was  apprehended  that  if  once  such  matters  should  be  taken  up 
by  them,  they  would  grow  into  something  alarming.  For  single 
churches  to  act  separately  would  be  likely  to  produce  discordance, 
and  thereby  weaken  the  remedy.  A  conference,  therefore,  made 
up  of  committees  from  aggrieved  churches,  seems  to  me  to  com- 
mend itself  to  every  prudent  man's  judgment.  Those  churches 
having  the  disease  prevalent  among  them  would  be  most  likely  to 
fall  upon  the  remedies  best  adapted  to  the  case.  The  committees, 
too,  selected  from  these  aggrieved  churches,  would  be  for  the  most 
part  tried  and  experienced  men,  fathers  in  Israel;  such  would 
march  directly  to  their  object  with  a  firm  step,  not  biased  by 
false  delicacy  on  the  one  hand,  nor  by  party  heat  on  the  other. 
All  things  fairly  considered,  I  do  most  cordially  recommend  the 
course  advised  by  the  conference,  and  do  hope,  earnestly  hope, 
that  a  course  substantially  like  it  may  be  adopted  by  all  our 
churches ;  and  that  we  may  in  this  most  distressing  state  of 
things  all  move  together." 

Some  allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  exertions  of  this 
devoted  man  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  Few  men  have 
possessed  a  wider  or  more  commanding  influence,  or  have  been 
more  useful  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  There  have  been  those 
who  have  risen  rapidly  in  the  world,  and  for  awhile  have  excited 
attention,  but  whose  relaxed  zeal  or  improper  conduct  has  thrown 
them  back  into  the  shade,  from  which  they  have  never  again 
emerged.  Others  have  attracted,  and  continued  to  attract  the 
admiration  of  those  around  them,  while  their  real  usefulness  has 
been  confined  within  a  very  limited  compass.  Semple's  progress 
was  gradual,  but  it  was  onward.  His  influence  was  practically 
felt.  And  what  was  the  secret  of  his  success  ?  Did  it  consist  in 
eccentricity  of  manner,  extraordinary  powers  of  mind,  or  over- 
powering pulpit  eloquence  ?  In  neither.  It  was  the  result  of 
other  qualities  which  he  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree,  and  to 


IIOBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  321 

which  the  attention  of  the  reader  should  be  directed,  or  this 
sketch  would  not  be  complete. 

I.  Among  the  most  marked  features  of  his  ministerial  cha- 
racter was  prudence,  united  with  great  decision.  These  important 
attributes  were  exhibited  in  conferring  with  inquirers  on  the  sub- 
ject of  salvation  and  Christian  duty.  He  was  always  prepared 
to  give  discreet  advice.  ISTor  was  he  unfrequently  called  upon  to 
afford  instruction  both  within  the  sphere  of  his  pastoral  labor 
and  to  distant  correspondents. 

The  following  letters  were  written  in  reply  to  inquiries  made 
by  one  who  was  settled  in  a  neighborhood  where  the  Baptist 
ministry  seldom  visited : — 

"Your  last  came  to  hand  in  a  very  short  time  after  date:  it 
brought  me  the  first  intelligence  of  your  baptism,  and  of  the 
Gloucester  meetings.  It  was,  indeed,  in  every  respect  a  pleasing 
communication.  You  have  witnessed  a  good  profession  in  a  part 
of  our  country  where  Baptist  principles  have  been  very  little  un- 
derstood, or  rather  have  been  greatly  misunderstood.  Your 
situation  in  life  will  cause  you  to  be  much  observed  by  all.  The 
friends  of  truth  will  fix  the  eye  of  hope  upon  you,  and  look  for  a 
Divine  blessing  on  your  good  conversation  in  Christ  Jesus.  The 
opposite  party,  made  up  of  various  descriptions,  under  more  vari- 
ous motives,  will  watch  for  your  halting.  The  personal  enemies 
of  the  Baptists,  from  religious  and  other  motives,  will  say,  '  their 
principles  are  too  rigid  for  any  good  person  to  be  happy  among 
them.'  You  know  of  whom  it. was  said,  in  old  times,  'as  for 
this  sect,  it  is  everywhere  spoken  against.'  It  does  indeed  re- 
quire a  large  stock  of  prudence,  or  rather  of  Divine  grace,  to 
make  a  consistent  and  useful  Baptist.  But  looking  to  God  with 
constant  and  humble  reliance,  there  will  be  nothing  too  hard. 
Surely  he  can  make  rough  ways  smooth,  and  crooked  paths 
straight;  and,  moreover,  he  says,  'these  things  will  I  do,  and  not 
forsake  you.'  As  it  respects  society,  you  will  doubtless  sometimes 
be  at  a  loss :  you  cannot  go  all  lengths  with  your  old  friends  who 
are  not  changed,  and  of  course  must,  to  a  certain  extent,  with- 
draw from  them ;  and  a  refined  mind  cannot  fully  enjoy  the  com- 
pany of  the  unrefined,  even  though  pious.  But  this  you  will  take 
as  a  part  of  your  cross.     In  the  mean  time  be  at  work,  and  you 

VOL.  I. — V 


322  ROBERT    B.  SEMPLE. 

will  find  your  labor  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Talk,  advise,  write, 
pray,  etc.,  and  you  will  find  your  society  improved  upon  your  own 
terms.  Some  of  your  friends  who  pitied  your  weakness,  perhaps 
persecuted  you,  will  be  among  the  number  to  seek  your  religious 
association.    I  have  seen  these  things  more  than  once." 

Again  he  writes:  "Your  letter,  by  taking  a  wrong  direction, 
did  not  reach  me  until  a  few  days  past.  Its  contents  were  most 
satisfactory  and  consoling.  Tour  experience  of  grace  was  surely 
from  God,  for  no  person  can  feel  thus  unless  God  be  with  him. 
You  speak  of  being  'assailed  with  doubts  and  fears.'  It  is  ques- 
tionable whether  a  faithful  experience  is  ever  without  them. 
They  are  not  from  God,  but  he  overrules  them  for  the  Chris- 
tian's confirmation.  Satan  will  worry  whom  he  cannot  devour. 
In  this,  like  all  his  other  attacks  upon  the  children  of  God,  he 
causes  only  momentary  pain,  which  is  succeeded  by  lasting  peace. 
The  barking  of  the  wolf  drives  the  sheep  nearer  to  the  fold  and 
the  shepherd.  I  am  more  than  commonly  pleased  with  the  cal- 
culations you  seem  to  make,  that  the  Christian  is  not  to  be 
carried  to  the  skies  on  flowery  beds  of  ease.  Young  Chris- 
tians often  overrate  the  duration  of  their  comforts  and  underrate 
their  trials,  so  that,  when  their  conflicts  come,  they  are  not  pre- 
pared for  them,  and  '  count  it  strange'  that  they  should  be  visited 
by  such  fiery  trials.  It  is  to  their  advantage  to  keep  in  mind 
that  through  much  tribulation  we  must  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  heaven.  I  am  also  highly  pleased  at  discovering,  from  your 
letter,  that  you  have  right  views  of  prudence  and  waiting  upon 
God.  The  enemy  of  souls  has  often  done  much  mischief  among 
zealous  professors,  by  persuading  them  to  neglect  one  set  of 
duties  to  attend  to  others ;  that  the  immediate  and  direct  duties 
to  God  are  not  paramount  to  domestic  and  social  duties.  It  is 
not  so :  all  duties  should  be  done  to  God.  Hence,  Colossians, 
iii.  3,  we  are  told,  '  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,'  etc.,  and  immediately  the  duties  of 
domestic  life  are  enumerated  and  enjoined  as  to  be  done  for  God. 
See  the  same  subject,  Ephesians,  v.  and  vi.  This  must  be  done 
by  waiting  upon  God  and  seeking  his  direction  as  to  the  proper 
mode  of  attending  to  each  duty,  so  as  to  be  found  rendering  unto 


ROBERT    B.  SEMPLE.  323 

God  the  things  which  are  God's,  and  unto  man  the  things  that 
are  his.     This  is  the  sure  way  of  letting  our  light  shine. 

"Baptism  is  so  very  distinctly  revealed  in  the  'New  Testament, 
that  for  more  than  thirty  years  I  have  been  astonished  how  there 
could  be  more  than  one  opinion  upon  it  among  the  readers  of  the 
Testament,  especially  the  pious ;  that  repentance  and  faith  should 
precede  baptism,  is  as  plainly  laid  down  in  the  above  book  as 
words  can  speak.  Philip,  when  asked  to  baptize  a  certain  man, 
said,  'if  thou  believest  with  all  thy  heart,  thou  mayest.'  You 
speak  of  obstacles :  you  cannot  do  wrong  to  wait  on  the  Lord  to 
remove  them,  and  make  your  conversion  and  baptism  a  blessing 
to  many  others ;  and  by  a  judicious  use  of  your  privileges,  you 
will  have  much  solid  happiness  here,  and  will  meet  your  Saviour 
with  more  pleasure  when  you  find  yourself  among  those  to  whom 
he  will  say, '  These  are  they  who  have  followed  the  Lamb  whither- 
soever he  went.'" 

In  the  social  circle,  he  always  demeaned  himself  in  a  manner 
becoming  his  exalted  station.  Many  ministers  who  act  well  their 
part  in  the  pulpit,  are  lamentably  deficient  in  their  daily  inter- 
course with  men.  Their  undignified  demeanor  and  indiscreet 
remarks  tend  to  neutralize  the  most  instructive  and  eloquent  dis- 
courses. But  it  was  not  thus  with  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 
He  always  seemed  to  carry  about  with  him  the  recollection  that 
he  should  watch  for  souls  as  one  who  must  give  account,  and  all 
his  words  and  actions  were  judiciously  adapted  to  leave,  both 
among  saints  and  sinners,  a  good  impression. 

His  government  of  the  churches  over  which  he  presided,  and 
the  course  he  took  in  the  Dover  Association  and  other  large  de- 
liberative bodies,  furnished  also  a  test  of  his  character  for  sound 
judgment  and  firmness  of  purpose. 

IL  Another  invaluable  trait  in  his  character  was  unwearied 
diligence  in  the  discharge  of  ministerial  duties.  For  punctuality 
in  attending  his  own  appointments,  and  all  the  more  important 
denomination  ah  meetings  of  the  State,  he  was  proverbial.  And, 
while  at  these  meetings,  as  well  as  in  the  fulfillment  of  pastoral 
duty,  whatever  his  hands  found  to  do,  he  did  it  with  all  his  might. 
It  will  be  appropriate,  in  this  place,  to  furnish  an  extract  from  a 
communication,  written  by  one  who  was  doubtless  prepared  to 


324  ROBERT    B.  SEMPLE. 

give  the  most  accurate  information.  In  this  extract  the  writer 
alludes  to  the  course  Elder  Semple  pursued  at  an  early  stage 
of  his  ministry.  Having  referred  to  his  industrious  habits  in 
teaching  and  farming,  immediately  after  his  marriage,  the  writer 
proceeds : — 

"During  this  time  he  ministered  to  three  congregations,  two 
of  them  twenty  miles  distant  from  his  residence.  He  labored  in- 
cessantly, making  it  his  religious  duty  to  undertake  nothing  which 
he  did  not  complete,  and  to  have  no  appointment  that  he  did  not 
fulfill.  So  strictly  did  he  observe  this  rule,  that  I  have  heard 
him  say  that  he  has  rode  through  the  most  inclement  weather  to 
a  distant  church,  and  when  getting  there  found  the  nearest  neigh- 
bor absent,  and  preached  on  such  occasions  to  a  congregation  of 
not  more  than  four  or  five  persons.  His  labors  at  this  time  were 
peculiarly  arduous.  The  Baptist  church  in  that  region  was  in  its 
infancy.  There  were  few  persons  who  belonged  to  it,  and  those 
the  most  illiterate  and  unpolished.  The  prejudices  of  the  public 
were  against  it,  and  the  young  man  of  learning  and  talent  was 
deemed  irreclaimably  infatuated  who  could  devote  his  time  to  the 
service  of  a  church  which  brought  neither  honor  nor  emolument. 
Panoplied,  however,  in  the  armor  of  conscious  rectitude,  he  went 
forth  to  battle  these  prejudices  and  to  disseminate  truth.  In  a 
short  time  the  fruits  of  his  labor  were  awarded  him.  A  church, 
equal  in  number  and  respectability  to  any  in  the  State,  grew  up 
under  his  ministry,  and  old  Bruington  still  stands  a  monument  to 
the  zeal  and  piety  of  its  never-to-be-forgotten  founder." 

In  a  sermon  delivered  on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  by  Elder 
Robert  Ryland,  the  following  allusion  is  made  :  "He  was  eminent 
for  his  PERSEVERANCE.  I  have  known  many  men  of  equal,  per- 
haps superior  abilities,  who  fell  far  short  of  his  usefulness,  be- 
cause they  wanted  his  decision.  He  was  deliberate  in  forming 
his  conclusions,  but  when  formed  he  acted  on  them.  He  felt  that 
the  ground  on  which  he  stood  was  solid,  and  he  therefore  stood 
erect  and  fearless.  His  course  through  life  was,  consequently,  not 
an  irregular  one,  vacillating  from  one  extreme  of  doctrine  to 
another,  now  manifesting  an  excessive  zeal,  and  now  settled  down 
into  a  frigid  insensibilty ;  but  it  was  uniform,  steady,  dignified. 
You  always  found  in  him  the  same  man.     Human  energy  is  often 


ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  325 

wasted  because  it  is  applied  to  some  point  for  a  short  time  with 
great  vehemence,  and  then  diverted  from  that  to  another  before 
the  first  is  accomplished.  Such  was  not  the  custom  of  Mr.  S. 
He  never  abandoned  a  project  because  it  proved  to  be  difficult  or 
unpopular,  but  went  right  on  until  a  fair  experiment  had  con- 
vinced him  what  was  expedient.  Hence  it  was  that  he  acquired 
so  much  weight  of  character  in  the  community.  Every  person 
confided  in  the  soundness  of  his  judgment,  and  in  the  energy  with 
which  he  executed  his  purposes.  If  he  had  appointments  to  ful- 
fill, he  suffered  no  impediment  which  mortal  enterprise  could  sub- 
due to  interrupt  them.  His  congregations  would  go  out  to  hear 
him  in  cold  and  rainy  weather,  because  they  were  sure  of  his 
attendance.  This  trait  in  a  public  man  is  doubtless  more  valua- 
ble than  it  is  usually  regarded.  In  the  course  of  a  long  life,  its 
influence  is  capable  of  effecting  a  large  amount  of  good,  while 
the  patriarchal  sentiment  is  found  to  be  true,  '  Unstable  as  water, 
thou  shalt  not  excel.', 

"He  was  one  of  your  practical  men,  that  set  themselves  to 
work  in  good  earnest,  and  '  from  the  same  fixed  and  faithful  point' 
never  decline  until  their  aim  is  accomplished.  It  ought  to  be  set 
down  also  to  his  credit  that  he  was  constitutionally  indolent.  His 
physical  nature  seems  to  have  been  changed  by  the  force  of  prin- 
ciple. Whatever  of  activity  he  displayed  was  the  result  not  of 
natural  temperament,  but  of  grace  Divine,  urging  him  forward 
against  the  current  of  his  feelings, — the  effect  of  holy,  ardent  love, 
prompting  him  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 
Many  men  are  endued  with  a  restless  temper  that  makes  them 
energetic  by  starts.  Their  motions  are  rapid,  but  uncertain  and 
eccentric.  Their  zeal  is  blazing,  but  misguided  and  injudicious. 
They  rarely  effect  much  good.  But  this  man's  energy  was  steady 
and  efficient.  His  zeal  was  uniform  and  salutary  because  guided 
by  a  sound  judgment  and  directed  to  a  hallowed  end. 

"  The  only  additional  remark  which  I  shall  make  on  this  part 
of  the  subject  is  this  :  That  no  man  probably  felt  a  deeper  inte- 
rest in  the  general  welfare  of  Zion.  While  the  disciples  are 
classed  into  so  many  little  families,  there  is  danger  lest  they  feel 
an  undue  solicitude  each  for  his  own  family,  and  disregard  the 
common  cause.     Mr.  S.  felt  a  lively  anxiety  for  his  whole  deno- 

VOL.  I.  28 


326  ROBERT   B.  SIMPLE. 

minatioD,  and  for  the  progress  of  tlie  gospel  in  every  part  of  the 
world.  He  could  have  said,  with  Paul,  'Besides  those  things 
that  are  without,  that  which  cometh  upon  me  daily,  the  care  of 
all  the  churches.'  Indeed,  when  his  reputation  had  increased,  he 
was  so  much  importuned  to  preach  in  distant  neighborhoods,  that 
his  own  people  felt  his  loss.  Wherever  he  sojourned,  there  he 
went  to  work  as  if  it  had  been  his  particular  charge.  And,  on 
this  account,  he  was  looked  up  to  by  all  the  churches  as  a  kind 
of  apostle  ;  was  called  upon  to  decide  controversies,  and  to  adjust 
more  serious  difficulties.  One  of  his  darling  themes  in  the  pulpit 
was  the  enforcement  of  brotherly  love.  His  soul  was  oppressed  by 
the  schisms  which  have  in  some  instances  perplexed  our  churches. 
To  the  variant  parties  his  private  and  public  counsels  were  excel- 
lent. If,  however,  he  ever  displayed  an  authoritative  spirit,  it 
was  while  preaching  on  this  subject.  He  had  little  patience  for 
the  senseless  quarrels  of  those  who  profess  to  be  disciples  of  the 
Prince  of  peace,  and  children  of  the  God  of  love." 

III.  It  may  be  observed,  in  addition  to  the  qualities  to  which 
the  attention  of  the  reader  has  been  called,  that  he  was  distin- 
guished for  the  practical  character  of  his  preaching.  By  mani- 
festation of  the  truth  he  commended  himself  to  every  man's  con- 
science in  the  sight  of  God.  His  discourses  were  remarkable  for 
their  appropriateness,  and  were  always  delivered  in  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity.  To  amuse  men  was  never  his  design  when  he 
stood  up  to  recommend  the  weighty  truths  of  the  Word  of  God. 
No  one  could  sit  under  his  ministry  without  being  convinced  that 
the  great  object  at  which  he  aimed  was  to  do  good.  It  was  said 
by  a  pious  lady  that  she  never  heard  him  preach  when  she  did 
not  retire  resolving  to  be  more  holy  and  devoted  to  God.  Pos- 
sessing an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  heart,  and  feeling  the 
superlative  value  of  eternal  realities,  he  was  habitually  prepared 
to  speak  with  pungency  and  faithfulness.  It  must  not  be  under- 
stood that  he  was  deficient  as  a  doctrinal  preacher.  It  was  the 
delight  of  his  heart  to  dwell  on  the  love  of  God  to  his  people, 
the  Divine  nature  and  glory  of  the  Redeemer,  the  necessity  and 
happy  influence  of  the  Spirit's  work  in  regeneration,  and  all  the 
other  truths  of  the  Bible ;  but  he  never  theorized  on  any  one  of 
these  doctrines  without  making  some    practical   inference,  and 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  327 

pressing  them  upon  the  consciences  of  his  hearers.  This  was 
evidently  the  apostolic  plan.  Paul,  in  his  writings,  manifests  a 
peculiar  concern  that  purity  of  sentiment  should  prevail  in  the 
churches ;  but,  in  recommending  the  precepts  of  the  gospel,  he 
descends  to  particulars,  and  with  emphasis  urges  all  the  duties  of 
social  life,  as  well  as  those  of  a  devotional  character.  Thus  did 
Semple.  His  style  was  sometimes  negligent,  but  his  manner 
always  impressive.  An  extract  from  the  funeral  discourse,  de- 
livered by  Elder  A.  Broaddus,  will  be  here  introduced.  It  fur- 
nishes an  accurate  description  of  the  ministerial  talent  and  spirit 
of  him  with  whom,  from  early  youth,  the  speaker  had  been  inti- 
mately associated  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  : — 

"Among  the  gifts  and  endowments  of  my  valued  friend,  we  do 
not  reckon  an  eloquent  tongue  and  a  fluent  speech.  The  early 
part  of  his  career  was  marked  by  frequent  embarrassments,  from 
the  want  of  a  ready  and  happy  appropriation  of  words  to  the 
ideas  which  labored  in  his  mind.  But  then,  you  still  saw  the  idea 
of  sterling  worth,  big  with  important  meaning,  and  weighing 
powerfully  in  the  scales  of  the  sanctuary.  You  saw  the  object 
toward  which,  with  resolute  pace,  he  was  marching  up  ;  and 
though  he  might  sometimes  be  impeded  on  the  way,  still  he 
marched  on,  (for  perseverance  was  one  'of  his  distinguishing 
features,)  still  he  marched  on  till  the  point  was  gained.  And  if, 
even  in  the  maturity  of  his  ministry,  he  never  attained  to  excel- 
lence in  ready  utterance,  the  worth  of  his  matter  more  than  made 
amends  for  the  want  of  this  faculty — a  faculty  which,  though  it 
has  its  worth,  is  often  found  to  exist  in  connection  with  a  slender 
stock  of  mind  and  meaning,  a  pompous  parade  of  words,  a  body 
without  a  soul.  '•' 

"Divine  truth,  from  the  lips  now  sealed  in  silence,  came  to 
knock  at  the  door  of  our  hearts,  not  with  the  tap  of  the  gloved- 
hand,  but  with  the  stroke  of  the  brazen  knocker.  It  entered  not 
with  the  bows  and  compliments  of  a  stranger,  but  unceremoniously, 
like  the  owner  of  the  castle  come  to  claim  his  mansion.  Nor  did 
he  lack  a  holy  warmth,  a  heavenly  unction,  in  his  ministrations  ; 
for  God  was  with  him.  To  have  the  best  feelings  of  the  heart 
engaged  and  kindled  up  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  under  the  in- 
fluence of  his  redeeming  love,  was  the  delight  of  his  soul.     Often 


328  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

has  lie  said :  '  I  would  give  nothing  for  that  religion  which  ex- 
cludes these  heavenly  feelings.'  And  if  he  was  not  eminent  for 
those  appeals  which  produce  a  more  powerful  excitement,  you  are 
witnesses,  my  friends  and  brethren,  how  often  a  sacred  pathos 
mingled  itself  with  his  addresses ;  how  often,  ere  we  were  aware, 
a  transition  took  place  from  the  current  of  argument  and  instruc- 
tion, to  a  feeling  and  even  a  melting  sense  of  the  excellence 
of  Christ's  holy  religion,  its  blessed  enjoyments  and  immortal 
prospects. 

"  Various  are  the  gifts  with  which  God  has  favored  the  Chris- 
tian. The  distinguishing  excellence  of  our  brother,  in  his  minis- 
terial capacity,  appeared  to  me  to  consist  in  a  fund  of  knowledge 
of  human  nature,  applied,  as  occasion  called  for  it,  to  the  various 
workings  of  the  heart ;  and  in  what  the  Apostle  calls  '  instruction 
in  righteousness;'  or  an  exhibition  of  the  duty  and  advantage  of 
practical  godliness.  Having  been  instrumental,  under  the  influence 
of  God's  gracious  spirit,  in  turning  many  'from  darkness  to  light, 
and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God,'  he  was  earnestly  engaged 
in  his  ministrations,  in  building  them  up  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel, 
and  training  them  to  active  diligence  in  all  good  works." 

Says  Mr.  Ryland :  "As  a  public  teacher  of  religion,  our 
lamented  brother  was'  deservedly  eminent.  He  was  always  ap- 
propriate. The  variety  of  his  sentiments,  the  originality  of  his 
manner,  the  solid,  earnest,  and  devout  constitution  of  his  mind, 
made  him  profitable  to  all  classes  of  hearers.  I  think  those  fami- 
liar but  beautiful  lines  of  Cowper  suit  him  as  well  as  any  man  I 
have  ever  seen  : — 

'Would  I  describe  a  preacher  such  as  Paul, 

Were  he  on  earth,  would  hear,  approve,  and  own, 

Paul  should  himself  direct  me.     I  would  trace 

His  master-strokes,  and  draw  from  his  design. 

I  would  express  him  simple,  grave,  sincere ; 

In  doctrine  uncorrupt ;  in  language  plain, 

And  plain  in  manner ;  decent,  solemn,  chaste, 

And  natural  in  gesture ;  much  impressed 

Himself,  as  conscious  of  his  awful  charge, 

And  anxious  mainly  that  the  flock  he  feeds 

May  feel  it  too  ;   affectionate  in  look, 

And  tender  in  address,  as  well  becomes 

{ 
A  messenger  of  grace  to  guilty  men. 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  329 

"  One  quality,  which  distinguished  our  venerable  brother,  was 
his  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  human  heart.  This  was 
one  of  the  chief  sources  of  his  greatness  and  usefulness.  Pope 
says : — 

'  The  proper  study  of  mankind  is  man.' 

This  study  is  important  to  all  professions  ;  but  to  the  preacher  it 
is  indispensable.  He  has  to  deal  emphatically  with  the  heart  of 
man.  He  should  know  how  to  touch  alternately  the  chords  of 
hope  and  fear,  of  love,  joy,  sympathy,  gratitude,  and  devotion. 
Mr.  S.  applied  his  mind  more  to  this  subject  than  to  books.  If 
he  addressed  the  unconverted,  they  were  often  astonished  at  his 
perfect  insight  into  their  feelings.  Like  the  woman  of  Samaria, 
they  were  constrained  to  say:  'He  told  me  all  the  things  that 
ever  I  did.'  He  described  them  so  faithfully  that  they  found  no 
way  of  escape,  and  had  to  confess  they  were  the  very  sinners 
whom  he  had  designated.  If  he  spoke  to  Christians  he  seemed 
to  know  their  trials,  their  secret  exercises,  their  besetting  infir- 
mities. He  expatiated  on  them  more  correctly  than  they  could 
have  done  themselves.  And  he  was  well  skilled  to  apply  a  remedy 
suited  to  their  spiritual  diseases ;  to  administer  comfort  to  the  de- 
pressed, caution  to  the  unguarded,  and  reproof  to  the  disobedient. 
Perhaps  this  is  of  all  others  the  most  delicate  task  assigned  to 
the  messengers  of  truth  ;  to  adapt  their  instructions  to  the  cha- 
racter and  circumstances  of  men.  It  is  not  sufficient  that  they 
understand  what  is  truth ;  but  they  should  know  what  particular 
ideas  to  advance  for  the  various  stages  of  experience ;  when  to 
apply  the  promises,  when  the  admonitions,  and  when  the  threaten- 
ings  of  the  gospel.  In  a  word,  they  should  rightly  divide  the 
Word  of  truth,  giving  to  each  one  his  portion  in  due  season. 
This  can  be  done  only  by  knowing,  in  some  measure,  what  is  in 
man.  Possessing  a  large  share  of  this  quality,  Mr.  S.  succeeded 
remarkably  well  in  performing  the  duty  above  alluded  to.  He 
aimed  his  darts  not  over  the  heads  of  men,  but  at  their  consciences, 
and  they  felt  their  point.  He  abhorred  the  disposition  which 
prompts  some  to  attempt  great  things  merely  to  attract  the  stare 
of  the  ignorant.  The  useful  was  preferred  by  him  to  the  orna- 
mental, and  the  homely  phrase  that  conveyed  his  thoughts  was 


330  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

selected  rather  than  the  classic  one,  which  would  be  understood 
only  by  the  learned." 

It  will  not  be  unsuitable  or  uninteresting  to  the  reader,  here  to 
introduce  a  few  extracts  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Semple.  They 
will  giye  a  just  idea  of  the  sterling  excellence  of  those  sentiments 
which  were  at  all  times  advanced  by  him,  both  in  the  pulpit  and 
by  the  pen.  It  ought  to  be  remarked  that  he  very  seldom  wrote 
sentimental  letters,  although  his  correspondence  was  extensive. 
As  he  was  frequently  consulted  in  reference  to  the  interests  of  in- 
dividual churches,  or  the  cause  at  large,  he  was  accustomed  in 
each  case  to  confine  himself  to  the  subject,  and  to  give  plain, 
practical  advice. 

The  first  extract  furnished  will  exhibit  his  views  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  It  is  from  a  letter  addressed  to  a  young  brother,  who 
was  agitating  the  question,  whether  it  was  his  duty  to  enter  upon 
this  solemn  work:  "Tours  of  the  ninth  instant  is  now  before  me, 
and  I  sit  down  to  answer  it.  It  contains  one  general  proposition 
by  way  of  asking  my  advice,  viz.,  Shall  I  preach  the  gospel  ?  To 
which  I  might  answer  shortly,  Yes  !  But  you  would  have  it  more 
in  detail.  You  seem  to  be  satisfied  that  God  has  impressed  it 
upon  your  mind,  or  at  least  you  ought  to  be  satisfied,  if  your 
exercises  are  as  you  describe  them.  Such  exercises  prove  the  call 
of  God.  If  God  has  committed  a  dispensation  of  the  gospel  to 
you,  a  woe  betides  you  if  you  do  not  preach.  On  the  contrary, 
if  you  preach  willingly  and  faithfully,  you  will  have  a  reward. 
Such  are  the  terms  of  God's  house.  But  the  part  in  which  I  hope 
to  be  of  some  use  to  you,  is  respecting  the  difficulties  of  this  holy 
occupation.  Of  these  you  should  be  forewarned.  When  God 
called  Saul  of  Tarsus,  he  said  to  Annanias,  '  I  have  showed  him 
what  great  things  he  must  suffer  for  my  name's  sake.'  A  faithful 
and  true  minister  must  make  up  his  account,  that  he  is  to  endure 
hardness  as  a  soldier  of  the  cross.  He  is  appointed  thereunto. 
It  would  seem  that  God  will  accept  no  services  unless  they  can 
stand  the  fiery  ordeal.  His  way  is  full  of  fire  ;  and  wood,  hay,  or 
stul5ble  will  soon  burn  up,  while  gold  shines  so  much  the  brighter 
for  having  passed  through  the  fire.  The  Apostle  found  it  as  God 
had  told  him ;  hence  he  gives  us  a  long  catalogue  of  sufferings 
which  he  had  endured.     And  when  he  compares  himself  with 


ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  331 

others,  he  asks,  Are  they  ministers  of  Christ  ?  and  his  answer  is 
worthy  of  note,  'I  am  more :  in  labors  more  abundant,  in  stripes 
above  measure;'  and  he  goes  on  to  enumerate  his  sufferings,  as 
if  they  made  him  more  than  a  minister  of  Christ.  This  you  will 
say  is  a  dark  picture.  True,  but  you  will  find  it  a  true  one,  if  you 
are  a  laborious  and  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel.  But  there  is 
also  a  bright  side  to  this  picture.  Ay,  one  that  if  rightly  viewed, 
will  dazzle  not  only  the  above  prospects,  but  all  the  bright  hopes 
and  schemes  of  worldly  aggrandizement.  The  man  who  has  right 
feelings  toward  God's  work,  and  faith  as  to  its  reward  here  and 
hereafter,  would  not  hesitate  in  making  choice  of  a  holy  minister's 
office,  in  preference  to  the  office  of  prime  minister  of  the  most 
potent  kingdom  upon  earth ;  nay,  of  the  crown  itself  of  such  king- 
dom. But  it  requires  peculiar  feelings,  such  as  God  only  can 
give.  Your  course  is  plain :  wait  upon  God,  wait  upon  him  with- 
out weariness.  Follow  his  leadings.  Be  still  until  God  says. 
Move ;  and  then  move  with  zeal,  judgment,  and  humility.  Do  not 
forget  Jeremiah's  question  and  advice  to  Baruch,  '  Seekest  thou 
great  things  for  thyself?  Seek  them  not.'  I  am  desperately 
mortified  at  seeing  some  of  our  young  preachers.  They  seem  to 
have  accepted  the  call  of  God  only  upon  condition  that  they  may 
be  great  preachers,  and  may  get  great  salaries.  It  requires  a 
stretch  of  charity  beyond  my  measure  to  even  hope,  that  pride  and 
selfishness  have  not  a  large  share  in  their  ministerial  exercises. 
These  seldom  succeed  in  doing  good.  All  things  considered,  I 
hope  you  will  engage  in  the  holy  work,  and  that  you  will  do  it 
from  the  purest  motives,  and  with  extensive  success.  Yours  in 
gospel  fellowship." 

The  brief  selections  which  follow,  will,  without  doubt,  be  read 
with  pleasure  by  many  who  have  heard  from  his  lips  the  words  of 
eternal  life ;  and  to  those  who  have  no  personal  acquaintance  it 
will  be  gratifying  to  see  specimens  of  the  style  in  which  he  was 
accustomed  to  illastrate  and  enforce  truth. 

'^Holiness,  a  rare  principle. — So  refined  a  principle  is  true 
holiness,  and  so  contrary  to  the  natural  propensities,  that  few, 
either  in  the  Old  or  New  Testament,  are  represented  as  having 
attained  to  high  degrees  in  it.  But  few  spotless  characters  are 
exhibited  among  the  sons  of  God,  that  presented  themselves  in 


332  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

worship  in  the  days  of  Job ;  it  is  said  of  none  that  he  was  a  per- 
fect and  an  upright  man,  except  Job  himself.  Of  the  thousands 
in  Israel,  Moses  seems,  at  some  seasons,  almost  to  stand  alone 
faithful  to  his  God.  Many  thousands  assembled  in  the  Plain  of 
Dura,  and  doubtless  many  Jews,  yet  three  only  continued  im- 
movable, and  would  not  bow  to  the  king's  golden  image.  When 
the  Lord  Jesus  was  betrayed,  a  few  women,  and  perhaps  one  male 
disciple,  adhered  to  him. 

"The  true  church. — The  fairest  and  only  proper  mode  of  as- 
certaining the  visible  church  in  the  present  day,  is  to  search  for 
the  visible  church  in  the  days  of  inspiration,  and  then  inquire 
among  what  people  her  characteristics,  as  laid  down  in  the  Bible, 
may  be  discovered. 

"Charity. — A  charitable  spirit  is  not  a  mere  disposition  to  give 
alms  to  the  poor.  This  is  only  one  of  its  many  excellent  effects. 
It  is  rather  that  mind  that  was  in  Christ  Jesus,  which  prompted 
him  to  love  mankind  in  their  sins,  and  to  determine  him  to  save 
them  at  the  expense  of  his  own  life.  By  one  writer  it  is  defined 
to  be  'a  principle  of  love  to  God,  and  good-will  to  men,  wishing 
well  to  all.'  A  charitable  spirit,  in  a  Christian,  is  the  fountain 
whence  most  of  the  other  graces  spring ;  and,  we  may  add,  it  is 
the  source  whence  all  the  real  good  practiced  among  men  takes 
its  origin.  Forbearance,  forgiveness,  long-suffering  under  inju- 
ries, gentleness,  mildness,  etc.  are  some  of  its  many  fruits.  Feed- 
ing the  hungry,  clothing  the  naked,  visiting  the  sick,  acting  the 
part  of  a  father  to  the  fatherless,  of  a  friend  to  the  friendless ;  to 
make  another's  suffering  its  own ;  to  rejoice  with  those  that  re- 
joice, and  weep  with  those  that  weep,  are  a  part  of  its  holy  works. 
A  charitable  spirit  views  the  faults  of  its  possessor  with  abhor- 
rence, those  of  its  neighbor  with  grief,  and  those  of  its  enemies 
with  forbearance  and  forgiveness.  This  spirit  never  aggravates, 
never  propagates  the  follies  of  others.  It  spreads  its  mantle  over 
a  multitude  of  faults,  and  would  fain  blot  them  out  of  existence. 
Envy,  evil-speaking,  whispering,  backbiting,  pride,  selfishness,  flee 
from  her  train.  Faithfulness,  candor,  prudence,  philanthropy, 
happiness,  are  its  constant  attendants.  It  sometimes  wounds,  yet 
never  but  with  a  view  to  healing.  If  it  frowns,  it  is  the  frown  of 
reform,  and  its  chastisements  are  the  chastisements  of  peace.     In 


ROBERT   B    SEMPLE,  333 

prosperity  it  warns  not  to  be  too  much  elated,  and  in  adversity 
it  strengthens  the  feeble  knees  and  lifts  up  the  hands  that  hang- 
down.  It  is  heaven-born,  and  nurtured  near  the  eternal  throne. 
It  is  a  visitant  on  earth,  going  about  pointing  out  the  road  to 
glory  and  happiness,  and  leading  all  to  the  abodes  of  peace  who 
will  follow  its  advice  or  example.  It  is  a  plant  of  paradise,  which 
never  thrives  in  human  soil,  unless  moistened  with  the  dew  of 
heaven,  and  cultivated  according  to  the  rules  of  Holy  Writ.  It 
seeks  no  rank  on  earth ;  but  with  equal  readiness  becomes  a  guest 
to  the  prince  or  the  peasant,  the  sovereign  or  his  subjects.  Faith 
and  hope  are  its  principal  ministers  in  this  world,  but  in  heaven, 
its  native  clime,  it  needs  them  not.  There  it  forever  lives  and 
sings,  when  inferior  spirits  shall  cease. 

"Pride. — Few  things  can  be  imagined  more  unreasonable  in  a 
follower  of  Jesus  than  pride.  His  first  admittance  into  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  being  wholly  through  sovereign  mercy ;  his  preser- 
vation therein,  by  given  strength ;  all  his  virtues,  and  all  his  gifts 
the  offspring  of  grace ;  a  beggar  and  a  bankrupt  as  to  himself,  he 
may  be  well  asked.  What  hast  thou  to  glory  in  ?  Unreasonable, 
however,  as  it  may  be,  there  are  few,  very  few,  if  any  of  the  church 
militant,  who  are  exempt  from  its  baneful  influence.  It  is  a  noxious 
plant,  that  springs  up  spontaneously  in  the  breast  of  man,  and  will 
destroy  everything  good,  unless  by  close,  diligent,  and  holy  watch- 
fulness it  be  dug  up  and  kept  under.  It  is  a  spirit  marked  with 
deep  ingratitude.  It  often  rises  highest  in  those  who  are  most 
favored  of  God.  Beneficiaries  of  his  distinguishing  goodness,  they 
are  prompted  by  this  spirit  (like  Satan)  to  put  the  crown  upon 
their  own  heads.  Hence  we  may  account  why  the  best  men  are 
often  most  afflicted.  Lifted  by  their  Master  to  the  third  heavens, 
a  thorn  in  the  flesh  is  given  them,  lest  they  should  be  exalted  above 
measure.    Well  then  may  we  account  them  happy  who  endure. 

"False  teachers. — Satan  transforms  himself  into  an  angel  of 
light,  and  it  is  not  uncharitable  to  believe  that  a  large  proportion. 
of  the  religion  that  is  in  the  world  is  the  offspring  of  satanic  in- 
spiration. In  this  way  we  are  to  account  for  the  various  unscrip- 
tural  doctrines  of  most  of  the  sects  of  Christianity.  Professing 
to  be  guided  by  the  Word  of  God,  they  suffer  themselves  to  be 
misled  by  the  devices  of  Satan.    They  call  meteors  stars,  and  g&y^- 


334  HOBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

gaws  jewels.  But  in  the  church,  this  side  of  heaven,  however 
sound  in  doctrine  and  however  regular  and  strict  in  discipline, 
individuals  will  be  found  who  privily  creep  in  and  seem  destined 
to  disgrace  the  cause  in  which  they  embark ;  such  was  the  case  in 
the  Apostolic  Church,  as  sacred  history  records;  and  the  best 
authenticated  profane  history  leaves  us  without  a  doubt  that  no  sub- 
sequent age  of  the  church  has  been  exempt  from  these  calamities. 

"Discipline. — God  seldom  works  but  Satan  imitates.  God 
makes  Christians,  and  Satan  makes  hypocrites.  Time,  however, 
will  make  manifest  who  are  on  the  Lord's  side,  and  true  scriptural 
discipline  will  separate  the  precious  from  the  vile.  Discipline  is 
like  the  refiner's  'fire ;  it  makes  the  faithful  shine  like  pure  gold, 
while  the  false  and  faithless  are  consumed  like  chaff. 

"Source  of  true  greatness. — Many  excellent  lessons  may  be 
learned  by  turning  our  reflections  to  our  own  day.  Various 
characters  have  passed  before  our  view.  Some  have  risen  to 
great  usefulness  and  weight  of  character;  and  some,  like  the 
glow-worm,  have  glutted  for  a  moment  and  sunk  into  oblivion. 
What  are  the  causes  ?  It  will  be  found,  upon  impartial  examina- 
tion, that  whatever  might  have  been  the  effect  of  talents,  connec- 
tions, or  popular  sentiments,  the  far  greater  part  of  their  high 
standing  ought  to  be  ascribed  to  the  successful  cultivation  of  a 
meek  and  Christian  spirit,  and  that  the  insignificance  or  downfall 
of  the  opposite  party  oftener  arose  from  that  pride  which  pre- 
cedes a  fall  than  for  the  want  of  mental  or  personal  endowments. 

"Bigotry. — Bigotry  often  claims  the  exclusive  credit  of  being 
a  defender  of  the  faith,  of  candor,  of  faithfulness,  of  holy  courage, 
and  casts  contempt  on  everything  that  opposes.  With  it,  meek- 
ness is  meanness,  prudence  is  the  fear  of  man,  moderation  is 
apathy,  and  the  love  of  enemies  is  hypocrisy.  A  contentious 
spirit  is  always  forming  and  fomenting  parties.  Its  own  party  is 
flattered  and  caressed ;  the  opposite  is  slighted  and  brow-beaten. 
When  much  heated,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  resort  to  still  baser 
measures;  to  seize  trifling  foibles  in  its  opposers,  and  magnify 
them  into  great  faults,  and  occasionally  to  spread,  if  not  fabricate, 
base  falsehoods.  It  is  against  this  spirit  the  Apostle  labors  in  his 
First  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians:  'For,'  says  he,  'it  has  been 
declared  to  me  that  there  are  contentions  among  you.    Whereas, 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  335 

there  is  among  you  envying,  and  strife,  and  divisions,  are  ye  not 
carnal  ?  For  while  one  saith,  I  am  of  Paul,  and  another,  I  am  of 
ApoUos,  are  ye  not  carnal?'  In  another  part  of  the  same  epistle 
he  says,  'If  any  man  seem  to  be  contentious,  we  have  no  such 
custom.'  To  Timothy  he  complains  of  some  who  doat  about  ques- 
tions and  strife  of  words. 

"Indolence. — Indolence  does  much  harm  negatively,  by  not 
doing  the  good  that  it  ought  and  might.  The  slothful  man  sees 
innumerable  and  insurmountable  obstacles  in  the  enterprises  pre- 
sented to  his  view.  Tell  him  to  arise  and  work  for  his  God,  he 
immediately  saith,  There  is  a  lion  in  the  way,  I  shall  be  slain  in 
the  streets.  He  Avill  sometimes  rouse  up  and  commence  a  work, 
but  seldom  or  never  brings  it  to  perfection.  He  may  hunt  and 
may  take  the  prey,  but  his  sloth  lulls  him  to  sleep,  and  he  roasts 
not  that  which  he  took  in  hunting.  He  may  undertake  to  culti- 
vate a  field  or  vineyard,  but  if  you  go  by  it,  you  will  find  it  all 
grown  over  with  thorns.  A  professor  of  religion  who  gives  way 
to  a  slothful  spirit,  is  a  cipher  on  the  left  hand  that  counts  for 
nothing ;  a  barren  fig-tree  that  cumbers  the  ground.  In  the  useful, 
active  labors  of  God's  house,  he  does  nothing  to  perfection. 
Appoint  him  to  any  active  service,  and  you  hear  no  more  from 
him,  or  hearing,  it  is  only  an  apology  for  not  doing.  Sluggards 
in  religion  are  not  always  so  in  worldly  matters.  Some  of  them 
are  eager  enough  in  pursuit  of  their  own  things,  but  have  no  time, 
no  temper,  no  talents  for  Christ's  work.  Some  of  them  can  stir 
themselves  on  a  Sabbath  day,  and  travel  some  miles  to  pay  a 
social  visit,  but  seven  or  eight  miles  to  worship  is  too  unrea- 
sonable for  man  or  beast. 

"Idle  curiosity. — Idle  curiosity  often  leads  its  possessors  into 
barrenness  of  soul,  and  others  into  miscalculations.  The  curious 
are  always  in  pursuit  of  novelty.  Those  who  are  infected  by  the 
spirit  of  curiosity,  and  do  not  check  it,  are  disgusted  with  every- 
thing of  long  standing.  They  find  out  new  preachers,  new  books, 
new  people,  etc.,  a.nd  these,  while  new,  are  always  the  best;  but 
as  soon  as  the  novelty  wears  off  they  quickly  look  out  and  find 
others  more  to  their  taste.  A  curious  spirit  sometimes  manifests 
itself  in  searching  into  deep  and  mysterious  subjects,  or  dark  and 
difficult  texts  of  Scripture.     The  common  maxims  or  plain  doc- 


336  ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE 

trines  of  God's  word  are  overlooked  as  insipid  and  useless ;  those 
full  of  dark  metaphors  and  inscrutable  mysteries  are  the  food  of 
this  spirit.  Doctrines  involving  inexplicable  points  are  sought  as 
pearls  from  the  bottom  of  the  ocean ;  more  valuable,  because  more 
rare.  Some  of  these  discover  their  error  and  reform.  They  then 
tell  us  that  their  former  course  afforded  no  permanent  pleasure  or 
profit,  and  that  plain  and  common  things  are  found,  on  fair  trial, 
to  be  most  valuable. 

"  Worldly  religion. — The  religion  of  the  world,  like  Nebu- 
chadnezzar's golden  image,  is  for  the  most  part  pompous,  and 
crowded  with  ceremonies  and  sensual  gratifications.  God  is 
always  best  pleased  with  his  people  when  in  simplicity  and  godly 
sincerity  they  have  their  conversation  in  the  world.  Paul  was 
jealous  of  the  Corinthians,  lest  their  minds  should  be  corrupted 
from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ. 

"  Christian  intercourse. — Frequent  and  familiar  associations 
of  Christians,  accompanied  by  prudence  and  watchfulness,  often 
check  a  wrong,  and  enkindle  a  right  spirit.  The  association  of 
the  pious  upon  right  principles  is  of  great  efficacy  towards  pro- 
ducing and  preserving  a  holy  frame.  In  our  best  estate,  we  are 
often  blind  to  our  own  faults. 

"Depravity  the  source  of  error. — Depraved  as  man  is,  it 
would  be  vain  to  hope  that  he  would  not  abuse  any  treasure 
(however  precious)  to  which  he  could  have  access.  Sinful,  fallen 
man  can  never  touch  and  not  pollute  ;  can  never  wear  and  leave 
the  garment  unpolluted.  Pure  religion  is  handed  to  us  directly 
from  heaven.  But,  alas !  how  much  is  there  that  bears  the  name 
of  religion,  that  is  nothing  more  than  the  production  of  man, 
and,  indeed,  of  a  power  worse  than  man. 

"  Prayer. — Humble  prayer  has  a  most  happy  tendency  toward 
softening  the  ferocious  passions  of  nature.  The  very  approaching 
of  God  as  our  Father  tends  to  produce  in  us  a  meek,  mild,  and 
childlike  temper.  A  soul  with  a  praying  spirit  loses  (for  a  season 
at  least)  all  malice,  all  arrogance.  He  either  trembles  at  his 
Master's  frowns,  or  melts  at  his  smiles.  But  besides  this,  humble 
prayer  receives  an  answer.  He,  therefore,  who  feels  his  proud 
and  resentful  temper  too  stubborn  to  be  subdued  by  himself,  has 
but  to  wait  upon  that  God  who  giveth  more  grace  to  the  humble. 


RORERT   B.  SEMPLE.  S31 

"Patience. — Patience  in  this  world  of  woe  is  not  only  right, 
but  indispensable  to  vital  piety.  In  the  character  of  Christ  it 
was  notable  indeed.  Being  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted 
with  grief,  his  whole  life  exhibited  proof  of  the  prevalence  of  this 
spirit ;  and  to  induce  us  to  imitate  him,  he  promises  that  if  we 
suffer,  we  shall  reign  with  him.  A  calm  and  serene  temper  in  the 
midst  of  trials  and  sufferings  displays  the  genius  of  Christianity 
more  favorably  than  any  other  attitude  in  which  the  follower  of 
the  Lamb  can  be  placed.  This  seems  to  be  the  true  secret  why 
the  pious  but  prosperous  Job  must  pass  through  fiery  trials. 
God,  who  searcheth  hearts,  knows  that  he  is  a  perfect  and  upright 
man ;  but  those  who  look  on  things  after  the  outward  appearance, 
think  they  see  in  his  wealth  and  prosperity  sufficient  inducement 
to  serve  God ;  and,  therefore,  dispute  the  purity  of  his  motives. 
The  Lord  v>rould  cut  off  all  occasion  for  doubt  or  reproach,  and 
accordingly  brings  Job  down  to  the  lowest  state  of  adversity  and 
affliction.  His  patient  spirit  under  his  sufferings  is  named  and 
applauded  in  the  New  Testament.  Most  of  the  favorite  servants 
of  God  have  been  like  sufferers.  It  was  while  Daniel's  soul  was 
in  bitterness  and  grief  he  is  so  often  called  a  man  greatly  beloved. 
David's  forbearing  and  forgiving  spirit  in  the  midst  of  unrelenting 
persecutors  seems  to  have  had  no  small  share  in  procuring  for 
him  the  honorable  appellation  of  'a  man  after  God's  own  heart.' 
Moses,  though  raised  in  a  royal  court,  must  also  drink  of  the 
bitter  cup;  and  the  patient  spirit  displayed  by  him  in  Egypt 
and  in  the  wilderness,  under  the  severest  conflicts,  seems  to  be  the 
brightest  trait  in  his  character. 

"Hospitality. — So  valuable  is  a  virtuous  hospitality  in  the 
sight  of  God  that  he  has  sometimes  crowned  it  with  distinguished 
blessings.  The  widow  of  Zarephath,  or  Sarepta,  by  entertaining 
Elijah,  was  miraculously  fed  for  many  days,  and  the  great  woman 
of  Shunem,  by  her  hospitable  kindness  to  Elisha,  obtained  a  son, 
the  first  desire  of  her  heart.  And  Isaac  also,  the  promised  seed, 
seems  to  have  been  promised  by  the  angels  when  filled  and 
cheered  by  Abraham  and  Sarah's  cordial  kindness  at  their  house, 
though  probably  not  known  to  them  as  angels  at  the  time. 
Abigail,  by  feeding  David  and  his  men,  averted  a  heavy  curse 
from  her  family  and  procured  for  herself  a  royal  husband.     It  was 

VOL.  I. — \v  29 


338  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

in  a  house  of  hospitality  that  Jesus  said,  '  This  day  is  salvation 
come  to  this  house.'  But,  probably,  the  most  important  advantage 
which  arises  from  hospitality  is  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  It  causes  the  gospel  to  be  preached  under  private 
roofs  at  times  and  seasons  when  circumstances  prevent  it  at  publig 
meeting-houses ;  sometimes  also  in  neighborhoods  where  there 
are  no  houses  of  public  worship,  and  where,  but  for  such  accom- 
modation, the  people  would  be  left  destitute  of  the  Word  of  Life. 
It  promotes  intercourse  among  the  pious,  by  which  their  faith  is 
strengthened,  their  hearts  are  warmed,  their  principles  confirmed, 
and  all  their  powers  animated  in  the  heavenly  warfare.  It  invites 
inquirers  into  the  society  of  the  godly,  with  whom  they  can  have 
free  conversation,  and  who  can  '  expound  unto  them  the  way  of 
God  more  perfectly.'  Hence,  ministers  of  the  gospel  are  specially 
required  'to  be  given  to  hospitality,'  that  their  houses  may  supply 
the  lack  of  service  of  the  pulpit ;  that  their  conversation  might 
do  what  was  left  undone  by  their  ministry,  and  what,  in  many 
instances,  the  public  ministry  could  not  so  well  effect. 

"Conversation.  —  Frothy  and  vain  conversation  should  be 
avoided  as  the  bane  of  Christian  society ;  worldly  things,  if  intro- 
duced, should  be  talked  of  moderately  and  in  the  fear  of  God; 
but,  above  all,  religious  subjects  should  not  be  named  with  levity. 
Foolish  talking  and  jesting  on  any  subject  is  said  not  to  be  con- 
venient, but  religious  conversation,  conducted  with  levity,  is 
shameful.  Cheerfal  gravity  and  grave  cheerfulness  fit  best  the 
followers  of  Him  who  was  never  seen  to  laugh,  but  who,  never- 
theless, bade  his  disciples  be  of  good  cheer. 

"A  generous  spirit. — A  generous  spirit  never  enjoys  his  pos- 
sessions more  happily  than  when  he  shares  it  at  the  hospitable 
board  with  his  friends  or  with  the  needy  and  distressed.  The 
very  reflection  that  his  house  is  filled  Tvith  God's  people  has  often 
melted  the  pious  man's  heart  into  the  sweetest  delights.  When 
he  deals  to  them  the  food  or  drink,  water  or  napkin,  or  lights 
them  to  bed,  or  takes  care  of  their  horses,  etc.,  his  heart  is  in  all 
he  does,  and  he  actually  realizes  our  Saviour's  words:  'He  that 
would  be  the  greatest  let  him  be  the  servant  of  all.'  Such  a  host, 
while  he  renders  himself  happy,  is  sure  to  impart  pleasure  and 
delight  to  his  guests.     If,  from  poverty,  his  fare  should  be  coarse, 


ROBEET  B.  SEMPLE.  339 

it  nevertheless  becomes  delicious  by  his  mode  of  administering  it. 
He  turns  water  into  wine  and  wild  gourds  into  palatable  food  by 
the  delicious  seasoning  of  affection.  He  proves,  by  actual  expe- 
rience, that  a  dinner  of  herbs,  with  love,  is  better  than  a  stalled 
ox  without  it.  He  serves  up  one  dish,  without  which  the  finest 
dainties  are  deceitful  meat,  viz.,  a  hearty  welcome.  If  his  guests 
must  lodge  on  beds  of  straw,  they  will,  if  good  men,  repose  more 
softly  than  on  beds  of  down  struck  over  with  the  thorns  of 
malevolence.  What  view  of  human  nature  can  be  more  celestial 
than  to  see  a  circle  of  religious  friends  sitting  around  the  hos- 
pitable room,  elucidating  mysterious  passages  of  Holy  Writ,  or 
mingling  their  voices  in  the  songs  of  Zion,  or  reciting  past  expe- 
rience, narrating  the  holy  tidings  of  each  neighborhood,  giving 
and  receiving  sacred  instruction  and  consolation  ?  When  they 
approach  the  family  altar,  with  what  earnest  solicitude  will  they 
invoke  blessings  on  their  affectionate  host  and  his  family.  How 
cordially  do  they  desire  that  his  bread,  thus  cast  upon  the  waters, 
may  be  seen  after  many  days !  And  will  not  God  hear  such 
prayers  ?  We  answer,  that  he  will  hear,  and  grant  the  blessings  too. 

"  Connection  of  commands  and  promises. — It  is  worthy  of  a 
believer's  notice,  that  God's  exhortations  are  so  frequently  accom- 
panied by  his  promises.  If  he  exhorts  us  to  work  out  our  own 
salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  he  also  promises  to  work  in  us 
to  will  and  to  do  of  his  own  good  pleasure.  Now  the  grace  of 
God  works  in  us  through  faith,  and  the  support  of  faith  is  the 
promises  of  God.     Hence  we  are  said  to  live  by  faith. 

^^Perseverance. — The  true  believer  perseveres  in  proportion 
as  he  is  sanctified ;  the  pretended  one  as  he  is  gratified.  The  one 
holds  on  his  way,  though  surrounded  with  temptations  and  trials ; 
the  other  faints  when  persecutions  and  distresses  arise  on  account 
of  the  Word.  The  one,  like  the  ship,  heads  up  to  the  anchor 
when  tempests  blow  and  billows  rise ;  the  other  is  carried  about 
with  every  wind  of  temptation.  The  one  will  finally  arrive  safely 
in  the  port  of  everlasting  rest ;  while  the  other  will  be  wrecked 
upon  the  rocks  of  sinful  pursuits,  never  to  rise  again.  It  will 
always  appear  that  apostates  greatly  disgrace  the  cause  in  which 
they  engage,  and  great,  no  doubt,  is  their  punishment.  In  this 
world   they  experience   severe   terrors  of  conscience,  called  in 


340  ROBLr.T   B.   SE?.IPLE. 

Scripture  a  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment ;  in  the  world  to  come, 
like  the  servant  that  kne\7  to  do  his  Master's  will  and  did  it  not, 
they  will  be  beaten  with  many  stripes. 

"  Christian  friencUhip. — The  food  which  is  eaten  among 
friends  at  the  hospitable  board,  seems  sweeter  '  than  to  eat  our 
morsel  alone.'  This,  probably,  is  one  reason  why  the  primitive 
Christians  'did  eat  their  meat  with  gladness  and  singleness  of 
heart.'  Having  all  things  common,  they  were  mutually  hosts 
and  guests  to  each  other. 

"  Self-examination. — He  that  does  not  keep  his  heart  with  all 
diligence  will  often  find  the  issues  of  death  instead  of  life.  A 
Christian  should  not  be  too  easily  satisfied  with  himself.  By  close 
examination  he  will  often  find  things  not  as  well  within  as  he  had 
supposed.  He  will  discover  secret  faults  which  would  otherwise 
lie  hid.  Hence  the  prayer  of  the  Psalmist,  'cleanse  thou  me  from 
secret  faults.' 

'^Disinterestedness. — Primitive  Christians  seem  to  have  for- 
gotten their  own  interest  and  to  have  been  wholly  absorbed  in 
that  of  their  Master.  ISTo  man  called  aught  of  the  things  which 
he  possessed  his  own.  So  much  were  they  divested  of  self  and 
self-interest  that  they  accounted  it  an  honor  to  be  whipped  and 
to  endure  ignominious  persecutions  for  Christ's  sake.  Nothing 
recommends  more  forcibly  the  Redeemer's  cause  to  unbelievers 
than  an  unselfish,  disinterested  spirit  among  professors.  When 
a  sinner's  mind  is  staggered  by  the  arguments  of  the  gospel  he 
looks  around  at  the  conduct  and  temper  of  the  friends  of  the 
gospel.  If  he  sees  them  acting  a  noble  and  disinterested  part, 
and  ready  to  make  any  sacrifice  to  promote  its  prosperity,  he 
quickly  makes  up  a  favorable  opinion.  But  if  he  sees  a  selfish, 
contracted,  scheming  spirit,  pretty  generally  among  them,  he 
either  gives  up  the  pursuit  or  turns  his  attention  to  some  other 
denomination.  Much  damage  has  been  done  to  the  cause  of  truth 
by  a  selfish  spirit. 

"  Covetousness. — Covetousness  is  a  demon  that  haunts  the 
church.  This  spirit  is  the  more  deceptious,  because  it  assumes 
to  itself  the  names  of  virtue  and  duty.  Some  of  the  best  maxims 
of  social  life  are  plausibly  quoted  to  justify  its  course.  He  that 
provideth  not  for  his  own  has  denied  the  faith  and  is  worse  than 


ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  341. 

an  infidel ;  industry  and  frugality  are  the  handmaids  of  Provi- 
dence; exercise  and  temperance  are  the  best  means  of  health; 
competence  and  independence  are  necessary  to  happiness ;  some- 
thing for  my  family  and  something  for  my  friend  enables  me  to 
be  hospitable ;  a  little  to  spare  furnishes  a  fund  for  the  poor  and 
for  religious  expenses ;  such  like  maxims  as  these,  though  mis- 
applied, afford  ease  to  the  conscience  of  the  covetous ;  they  often 
stint  their  family  under  the  pretext  of  providing  for  them.  He 
talks  of  preparing  something  for  the  poor,  but  when  the  oppor- 
tunity offers  he  finds  some  excuse  in  the  unworthiness  of  the 
object,  in  the  hardness  of  the  times  or  the  inconvenience  of  the 
present  season.  He  talks  of  being  sociable  with  a  friend,  but 
seldom  or  never  finds  time  or  inclination  to  attend  to  friends.  He 
longs  for  wealth,  that  he  may  be  liberal  to  religion,  but  his  sacri- 
fices are  rarely  to  be  found  upon  the  altar,  or  when  found,  con- 
sist of  the  blind  or  broken,  the  maimed,  scurvy  or  scabbed.  The 
love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil,  and  in  professors  of  piety  it 
is  the  fountain  of  many  sorrows,  the  source  of  many  errors,  and 
the  wretched  clog  of  every  noble  enterprise.  This  spirit  has  a 
most  voracious  appetite,  always  crying.  Give,  give !  but,  unlike 
any  other  being,  its  appetite  increases  with  its  gratification,  and 
the  more  it  receives  the  more  it  wants.  It  often  infects  the  minds 
of  both  preachers  and  people,  and  sets  them  at  variance.  The 
one  is  often  too  eager  to  receive,  the  other  too  willing  to  with- 
hold. Crimination  and  recrimination  are  frequently  the  result, 
while  the  sacred  cause  of  the  Redeemer  bleeds  from  every  pore. 
How  strong  are  the  words  of  our  Lord  against  this  propensity  1 
Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon.  It  is  easier  for  a  camel  to 
go  through  the  eye  of  a  needle,  than  for  those  who  trust  in  riches 
to  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

''Public  worship. — A  steady  attendance  upon  a  faithful  gospel 
is  a  fountain  from  which  we  may  often  draw  and  drink  the  spirit 
of  holiness ;  and  this  more  especially,  if  we  combine  with  it  a 
diligent  reading  of  the  word  of  Christ,  until  it  dwells  in  us  richly 
in  all  wisdom. 

" Moriijicalion  of  sinful  ajopetites. — Mortification  of  the  flesli 
is  indispensably  necessary.  Hence,  the  Lord  Jesus  speaks  empha- 
tically about  self-denial  and  taking  up  the  cross,  and  hence  Paul 

29* 


342  ROBERT    r..  SEMPLE. 

declares  that  he  was  in  'fastings  oft.'  It  seems  pretty  obvious, 
also,  that  it  is  with  this  view  that  God  afflicts  his  people.  He 
turns  his  hand  upon  us,  that  he  may  thoroughly  purge  away  our 
dross.  He  sees  that  the  flesh  must  be  mortified,  and  what  the  saint 
does  not  do  by  voluntary  self-denial,  he  effects  by  his  chastening. 

"The  church  subject  to  changes. — The  true  church  is  some- 
times compared  to  the  moon,  and  like  her  she  waxes  and  wanes. 
Revivals  and  declensions  are  symptoms  of  God's  peculiar  people. 
Hence  it  is  said,  '  when  the  Lord  turned  again  the  captivity  of 
Zion,  we  were  as  men  that  dream.  Then  were  our  mouths  filled 
with  laughter,  and  our  tongues  with  singing.'  On  the  other 
hand,  we  read  of  the  complaints  of  God's  people  in  times  of 
declension.  'How  can  we  sing  the  songs  of  Zion  in  a  strange 
land.  Our  harps  are  hung  upon  the  willows  !'  How  much  do 
these  things  look  like  the  revivals  and  declensions  among  God's 
people  of  the  present  generation  ! 

"Willingness  to  labor  for  God. — A  laborious  spirit,  or  a 
willingness  to  labor  for  God,  is  of  more  value  than  many  are 
aware  of  Most  men  are  inquiring  for  talents,  and  ascribe  suc- 
cess or  the  want  of  it  to  the  presence  or  absence  of  talents. 
Talents  certainly  have  their  weight ;  but  what  are  talents  unless 
they  are  occupied  ?  It  is  labor  which  renders  talents  successful ; 
and  small  talents  well  occupied  are  often  seen  accomplishing  more 
for  the  cause  of  Christ  than  very  conspicuous  ones,  used  only 
when  convenient.  Our  country  affords  strong  proof  of  this  posi- 
tion. We  have  seen  a  religious  establishment  entrenched  around 
by  human  laws,  supported  by  power  and  wealth,  defended  by 
preachers  of  learning  and  talents,  pulled  down  to  the  base  by 
illiterate  and  unpatronized  ministers  of  Christ.  To  an  expe- 
rienced man  it  is  easily  explained.  These  illiterate  men  were 
steady,  unwearied  laborers.  The  others  were  idlers.  The  one 
set  was  as  the  ox  in  the  yoke,  pulling  at  his  burden ;  the  other 
was  as  the  ox  in  the  stall,  too  well  fed  and  too  fat  to  labor  much. 
Every  day's  observation  shows  us  the  exceeding  benefit  of  a 
laborious  spirit.  What  great  things  have  even  private  members 
effected  by  keeping  their  eyes  steady  to  their  Master's  honor,  and 
doing  such  work  as  may  fall  to  their  share  !  A  laborious  spirit 
should  be  never  laid  aside.     It  is  applicable  to  all  states  of  the 


ROBERT    B.  SEMPLE.  343 

church.  The  labor  may,  and  ought  to  be  varied  ;  but  the  spirit 
must  remain.  Like  the  industrious  husbandman,  who  finds  one 
sort  of  work  for  the  spring,  another  for  the  fall,  one  sort  for  dry, 
and  another  for  wet  weather,  the  diligent  servant  of  God  adapts 
his  work  to  the  season.  In  revivals,  in  declensions,  in  lively  or 
languid  times,  in  discipline,  in  prayer  or  preaching  meetings,  the 
devoted  Christian  finds  something  still  to  do ;  and  this  is  his  sup- 
port and  consolation,  that  his  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 
He  knows  that  in  whatever  lawful  way  he  labors  his  reward  is 
certain.  He  is  assured  that  both  he  that  soweth  and  he  that 
reapeth  shall  rejoice  together.  Let  not  these  remarks  be  exclu- 
sively applied  to  ministers.  They  are  applicable  to  private  indi- 
viduals as  well  as  to  preachers.  All  have  their  work  to  do,  and 
all  should  be  at  it." 

The  biographer  will  proceed  to  state  that  not  only  were  the 
piety  and  talents  of  Mr.  Semple  highly  appreciated  within  his 
own  State,  but  throughout  the  whole  denomination  he  wielded  a 
powerful  influence.  He  was  everywhere  known  as  a  man  of 
unfeigned  devotion  to  Zion's  interests,  and  one  on  whom  reliance 
could  be  placed  in  every  great  practical  effort.  In  the  year  1820 
he  was  elected  president  of  the  Tviennial  Convention,  which 
station  he  filled  to  the  time  of  his  death.  "  This  election,"  he 
remarks  in  his  journal,  "although  flattering  in  some  respects,  was 
mortifying  in  others. "  The  idea  of  taking  the  place  which  might 
have  been  filled  by  other  aged  and  venerable  servants  of  Grod 
seemed  to  distress  him.  "I  felt,  however,"  he  adds,  "much  of 
the  spirit  of  prayer,  and  hoped  that  God  would  overrule  it  for 
good."  In  1815  Brown  University,  Rhode  Island,  conferred  on 
him  the  honorary  degree  of  A.M.  In  18H,  from  the  same 
university,  he  received  the  degree  of  D.J).,  and  in  1826  the 
College  of  William  and  Mary  also  conferred  the  degree  of  D.D. 
But  the  latter  honor  he  declined,  from  an  impression  that  he  did 
not  deserve  it ;  as  also  on  the  ground  that  it  was  altogether 
inconsistent  with  the  interests  of  religion,  and  in  contravention 
to  the  express  command  of  Christ.  Unquestionably  he  deserved 
such  a  distinction  far  more  than  many  upon  whom  it  is  bestowed; 
yet,  aside  from  the  mandate  of  his  Lord,  his  unambitious  spirit 
would  not  allow  him  to  be  called  E,abbi,  and  thus  in  title  and  by 


344  ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE. 

name  to  be  elevated  above  his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  As 
early  as  the  year  1805  he  was  invited  to  the  presidency  of  Tran- 
sylvania University,  which  invitation  he  did  not  conceive  it  his 
duty  to  accept. 

While  our  venerated  brother  was  thus  permitted  to  reach  an 
honorable  eminence  in  usefulness  and  influence,  he  was  not  without 
the  experience  of  most  painful  trials.  These  were  mostly  of  a 
domestic  character.  His  place  of  residence  in  King  and  Queen 
County  was  exceedingly  unhealthy,  and  his  family  were  conse- 
quently often  visited  with  sickness.  Of  twelve  children,  only  four 
were  living  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Says  one  of  his  surviving 
sons,  in  alluding  to  his  father's  trials:  "Besides  these  several 
afSictions  caused  by  the  death  of  his  children,  his  family's  health 
was  in  a  most  precarious  state  for  several  years,  which  was  a 
source  of  constant  unhappiness  to  him.  From  1825  to  1821  his 
home  was  a  perfect  hospital,  from  which  disease  was  scarcely  ever 
absent.  His  wife,  who  was  always  his  comforter  in  affliction, 
became  herself  deeply  afflicted.  Of  a  family  of  sixty,  black  and 
white,  I  have  known  forty  to  be  ill  at  one  time.  There  were  not 
enough  well,  at  some  times,  to  attend  to  the  sick,  the  dying,  and 
the  dead.  Himself  at  the  "time  in  good  health,  his  mind  was 
deeply  exercised  at  the  scene  around  him ;  two  of  his  six  children 
just  conveyed  to  the  tomb,  two  more  expected  every  moment  to 
follow  them,  and  his  wife,  the  strongest  tie  that  united  him  to 
earth,  prostrate  and  senseless  from  insatiate  disease.  It  was 
truly  a  situation  that  was  calculated  to  call  forth  all  the  philosophy 
and  religion  he  could  command.  He  bore  it  as  a  Christian.  No 
murmur  escaped  his  lips.  But  relying  upon  the  declaration 
which  he  often  repeated,  that  'whom  the  Lord  loveth,  he  chas- 
teneth,'  he  awaited  the  issue  with  calm  and  Christian  compo- 
sure." 

Perhaps  some  of  the  most  shining  excellencies  of  this  good 
man's  character  were  the  result  of  that  severe  discipline  through 
which  his  Heavenly  Father  saw  it  necessary  to  lead  him.  Those 
who  are  deservedly  esteemed  as  ministers  of  Christ  are  liable  to 
be  exalted  above  measure,  amid  the  many  kind  attentions  they 
receive  from  their  Christian  brethren.  Pride  is  easily  engendered 
in  the  exercise  of  gifts  which  Grod  bestows,  and  which  ought  to 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  345 

be  wholly  employed  in  his  glory.  "Under  these  circumstances,  a 
thorn  in  the  flesh  may  be  needful ;  and  He  who  is  all- wise  to 
ascertain  the  necessity,  will  in  paternal  love  cause  it  to  be  expe- 
rienced. And  not  unfrequently  does  he  carry  through  the  furnace 
of  affliction,  for  the  purpose  of  calling  into  livelier  exercise  the 
graces  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  to  prepare  for  more  eminent 
usefulness  in  his  kingdom.  Some  of  the  most  distinguished  of 
God's  people  for  humility  and  active  devotion  to  the  honor  of 
Chi'ist,  have  known  what  it  is  often  to  drink  the  bitter  cup  of 
affliction.  Thus  it  was  with  the  venerated  Semple,  as  stated  in 
the  letter  of  his  son.  The  following  communication,  addressed 
to  a  beloved  friend  immediately  after  the  death  of  one  of  his 
grown  sons,  will  afford  some  idea  of  the  state  of  his  mind  at  that 
painful  hour : — 

''May  24,  1822. 

"Dear  Sir: — 

"Yours  of  the  twenty-first  instant,  directed  to  my  dear  John, 
reached  me  just  as  Mr.  Broaddus  was  about  to  commence  his 
funeral  sermon.  He  left  us  on  Wednesday,  about  twenty  minutes 
after  nine  o'clock.  His  evidences  of  Divine  acceptance  seemed 
to  brighten  as  he  approached  his  dissolution.  He  said  to  several 
of  his  friends,  that  death  had  no  terror  to  him ;  that  he  had  no 
desire  to  live  for  his  own  sake ;  that  except  for  the  sake  of  his 
connections,  especially  his  parents,  he  would  rather  die  than  live. 
He  said  to  one  of  his  young  friends,  who  had  paid  him  great  at- 
tention, I  have  witnessed  that 

'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.' 

He  was  manifestly  dying  all  day  on  Tuesday,  but  on  Tuesday 
night  he  began  to  sink  rapidly,  and  I  was  sent  for,  having  been 
called  from  home  on  ministerial  duties.  He  said  to  his  friend, 
Dr.  Fleet,  has  my  father  been  sent  for  ?  He  told  him  yes.  Well, 
said  he,  I  hope  my  pulse  will  hold  out  until  he  comes.  This  was 
just  the  case ;  I  found  him,  on  my  arrival  a  little  after  sunrise, 
in  his  senses,  and  dying  fast.  He  gave  me  his  hand  affection- 
ately, but  said  not  much.  His  debility  was  so  great  that  he  could 
not  speak  but  with  great  exertion.     He  died  apparently  very 


346  ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE. 

easy.  My  reflections  on  Ms  death  are  mixed  with  pleasure  and 
pain.  When  I  think  of  my  loss  and  the  loss  of  ray  remaining 
family,  it  is  painful  beyond  description ;  but  when  I  consider  him  as 
called  by  his  gracious  Redeemer  to  his  precious  embraces,  I  am 
filled  with  holy  delight.  The  attention  paid  him  by  his  and  my 
friends,  while  here  and  on  his  travels,  exceeded  my  most  sanguine 
hopes.  I  owe  them  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  I  must  forever  owe. 
Tour  kindness  was  never  named  by  him  but  with  the  most  tender 
emotions.  He  seemed  to  think  there  never  was  anything  like  it 
before.  Oh,  how  shall  I  do  justice  to  such  disinterested  friend- 
ship !  As  I  cannot  make  you  suitable  returns,  I  hope  my  Hea- 
venly Father  will  abundantly  bless  you.  His  weakness  toward  the 
last  was  such  as  to  render  it  necessary  for  him  to  see  but  few  of 
his  friends.  This  was  very  painful  to  him,  when  any  came  and 
could  not  see  him.  Indeed,  we  were  obliged  not  to  let  him  know 
when  they  came,  lest  it  might  excite  him  too  much.  How  deep, 
how  unfathomable  are  the  ways  of  God !  If  we  had  the  direc- 
tion of  the  shafts  of  death,  how  differently  should  we  have  sent 
them  !     But  He  does  all  things  well. 

'  Peace,  all  our  angry  passions  then ; 

Let  each  rebellious  sigh 
Be  silent  at  his  sovereign  -will, 
And  every  murmur  die.'  " 

There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  his  own  health,  and  per- 
haps his  life,  became  a  sacrifice  to  the  variety  and  pressure  of 
those  toils  in  which  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  engage.  When  he  left 
King  and  Queen  County,  in  182Y,  he  remained  awhile  in  Wash- 
ington, but  at  length  settled  in  Fredericksburg.  The  manage- 
ment of  college  concerns  on  the  one  hand  devolving  on  him,  and 
the  care  of  the  Bruington  Church  on  the  other,  it  was  necessary 
to  travel  much,  both  to  King  and  Queen,  a  distance  of  sixty 
miles,  and  then  to  the  City  of  Washington.  In  addition,  he  en- 
gaged to  preach  twice  in  each  month  in  Fredericksburg,  and  once 
in  Washington.  In  reference  to  his  declining  strength,  in  writ- 
ing to  a  brother,  dated  May,  1831,  he  remarks:  "I  have  nearly 
determined  against  attempting  the  ride  to  Lynchburg.  I  think 
it  too  much  for  me.  This  is  the  first  General  Association  I  have 
missed,  if  I  miss  this,  and  I  assure  you  I  do  it  with  great  reluct- 


ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE.  34-7 

ance.  But  the  wheels  of  nature  will  run  on  in  spite  of  us,  and 
we  must  feel  the  wearings  of  time.  I  am  now  upon  the  list  of 
the  silver  grays,  and  can  only  fight  when  there  is  not  a  great  deal 
of  marching." 

Though  his  health  had  become  impaired  during  the  year  1831, 
it  was  little  expected  that  he  was  soon  to  be  removed  from  the 
sphere  of  labor  in  which  he  was  so  usefully  engaged.  But  He, 
whose  judgments  are  unsearchable,  was  preparing  him  for  a  dis- 
missal from  the  toils  of  earth,  and  an  introduction  to  the  repose 
of  another  and  a  better  world.  It  is  a  deeply  interesting  fact, 
that  the  last  year  of  his  life  was  crowned  with  the  special  indica- 
tions of  Divine  favor.  The  church  at  Bruington,  which  had  pre- 
viously suffered  in  consequence  of  erroneous  sentiments  imbibed 
by  some  of  its  members,  experienced  a  season  of  refreshing  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord.  The  venerable  pastor,  in  the-  month 
of  September,  baptized,  at  one  time,  thirty -two,  and  before  his 
death  had  the  unspeakable  gratification  of  seeing  more  than  one 
hundred  obey  their  Lord  in  baptism,  and  unite  with  the  Bruing- 
ton Church.  Like  Simeon,  with  the  blessed  Saviour  in  his  arms, 
he  was  ready  to  say,  "  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart 
in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation."  His  last  visit 
to  Bruington  was  made  about  three  weeks  before  his  death.  It 
is  thought,  although  he  was  then  enjoying  his  usual  health,  that 
he  had  some  presentiment  of  his  approaching  end.  His  text  on 
Saturday  was  selected  from  2  Corinthians,  xiii.  11:  "Finally, 
brethren,"  etc.  It  was  the  sentiment  of  many  who  heard  him 
that  he  would  soon  be  taken  from  them.  The  last  sermon  he 
was  allowed  to  preach  was  founded  on  Exodus,  xv.  11.  Return- 
ing home,  he  found  himself  affected  by  the  extremely  inclement 
weather  through  which  he  was  compelled  to  ride. 

When  it  was  suggested  by  some  of  his  family  that  it  was  pro- 
bably necessary  he  should  go  to  Washington  to  attend  to  some 
business  connected  with  the  college,  he  replied  that  he  felt  like  a 
dead  man,  and  could  not  venture  from  home  again.  Shortly  after 
he  was  seized  by  a  chill,  and  continued  to  grow  more  unwell,  until 
his  disease  began  to  assume  a  dangerous  form.  During  the  early 
stage  of  his  sickness  he  requested  his  daughter,  whom  a  few 
weeks  previous  he  had  baptized,  to  read  for  him  the  first  chapter 


348  ROBERT  B.  SEMPLE. 

of  PMlippians,  and  frequently  referred  to  it  afterwards  in  his 
conversation  with  those  around  him.  Until  within  a  day  of  his 
death,  nothing  serious  was  apprehended  by  the  family.  But  death 
had  marked  him  as  his  victim.  The  following  letter,  written  by 
his  son  to  the  editor  of  the  Herald,  will  state  more  explicitly  the 
circumstances  of  his  sickness  and  death : — 

"WooDLAWN,  December  25,  1831. 
"Dear  Sir  : — 

"The  melancholy  duty  devolves  on  me  to  announce  to  you  the 
death  of  my  venerable  father.  He  left  us  this  morning  at  ten 
minutes  before  ten  o'clock.  He  was  seized,  this  day  week,  with  a 
fever,  which  we  all  thought  was  nothing  more  than  the  influenza, 
which  is  now  raging  in  our  neighborhood.  Monday  morning  a 
physician  was  called  in,  who  pronounced  it  a  pleurisy,  but  so  mild 
in  its  features  as  not  to  create  any  alarm  in  his  or  our  feelings.  It 
gradually  grew  more  serious  in  its  character  till  Friday,  when  he 
dispatched  a  messenger  for  my  brother,  the  only  one  of  his  chil- 
dren absent,  and  whom,  to  his  last  moments,  he  expressed  a  great 
desire  to  see.  He  declined  rapidly  from  Friday  until  this  morn- 
ing, (Sunday,)  when  he  expired  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan. 
From  the  first  moment  of  his  attack,  he  aflQrmed  that  it  would 
be  his  last  illness ;  and  so  impressed  was  he  with  that  thought, 
that  the  remedies  prescribed  failed  to  effect  the  desired  results,  as 
his  physician  believes,  from  the  great  influence  which  his  mind 
exercised  over  his  body. 

"He  died  as  he  lived,  a  bright  and  shining  Christian.  His  fre- 
quent ejaculation  was,  'I  am  anxious  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ.' 
Tuesday  afternoon  he  sunk  into  a  comatose  state,  from  which  it 
was  difficult  to  awaken  him.  On  one  occasion  he  awoke  with  a 
placid  smile  on  his  countenance,  and  said  to  me, '  Oh  ask  Brother 
Ball  to  come  here  again.'  What  Brother  Ball?  said  I.  'Mr. 
Eli  Ball,'  he  replied;  'is  he  not  here?'  No,  said  I.  'Well,'  he 
observed,  'I  thought  he  was  conversing  with  me  just  now.'  He 
again  sunk  into  this  state,  and  made  no  other  remark  till  some 
time  during  the  night  he  awoke  up  in  the  same  way,  and  said, 
'This  night,  forty-two  years  ago,  I  preached  my  first  sermon;' 
and  then  inarticulately  said,  '  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have 


UOBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  349 

kept  the  faith.'  I  have  never  seen  such  perfect  composure.  He 
requested  me,  early  yesterday  afternoon,  to  look  into  a  certain 
drawer  in  his  secretary,  and  bring  his  will.  I  did  so,  and  at  his 
request  I  read  it  aloud  to  him.  'Well,'  said  he,  'I  am  satisfied; 
my  spiritual  condition  is  such  as  I  wish  it ;  I  can  depart  in  peace. 
The  great  divisions  in  the  churches  sometimes  make  me  unhappy, 
but  I  hope  they  will  be  healed.'  Such  were  some  of  his  dyiiig 
observations.  I  give  them  in  great  haste,  and  under  feelings  you 
can  more  readily  conceive  than  I  describe." 

Thus  fell  one  whom  God  and  men  delighted  to  honor.  The  in- 
telligence of  his  death,  as  it  passed  from  one  circle  to  another, 
caused  many  a  bosom  to  heave  with  emotion,  and  many  a  tear  to 
fall  from  eyes  unused  to  weep.  By  hundreds  he  was  most  ten- 
derly loved  as  a  father  in  the  gospel,  and  by  most  of  the  churches 
in  Yirginia  he  was  regarded  as  a  judicious  counselor  and  devoted 
friend.  All  felt  that  a  chasm  was  created  which  could  not  be 
easily  filled.  In  his  removal  the  whole  denomination  sustained  a 
loss.  Throughout  the  United  States  the  name  of  Semple  was 
associatea  :?»ith  all  thiat  is  lovely  and  of  good  report;  and  his 
active,  untiring  co-operation  in  plans  of  benevolence,  had  placed 
him  among  the  principal  standard-bearers  in  the  army  of  the  Lord. 
A  discourse,  occasioned  by  this  mournful  event,  was  delivered  by 
Elder  Robert  Ryland,  then  pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church, 
Lynchburg.  A  discourse  was  also  delivered  by  the  author,  then 
pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  in  the  City  of  Richmond, 
from  1  Samuel,  ix.  1,  19.  In  this  address  the  speaker  took  occa- 
sion to  refer  to  the  lively  interest  which  the  lamented  Semple  had 
taken  in  the  welfare  of  the  Second  Church,  particularly  in  its  early 
history.  Another  funeral  sermon  was  preached  at  Bruington,  be- 
fore the  church  of  which  he  had  been  pastor  for  so  many  years. 
An  individual  who  was  present,  thus  refers  to  the  solemnities  of 
that  day : — 

"The  funeral  of  this  eminent  servant  of  God  took  place  at  Bru- 
ington, on  the  fifth  instant.  The  occasion  was  the  most  solemn 
and  imposing  we  ever  witnessed.  Though  the  day  was  inclement, 
the  large  meeting-house  was  crowded  with  a  weeping  congrega- 
tion.    Every  eye,  as  it  entered  the  house,  was  fixed  upon  the 

VOL.  I.  30 


350  nOBERT    B.  SEMPLE. 

vacant  pulpit,  which  was  hung  around  with  crape,  until  the  suf- 
fusing tear  obscured  the  sight.  A  thousand  sighs  that  burst  from 
as  many  feeling  hearts,  and  the  tear  that  bedewed  every  dejected 
countenance,  spoke  in  a  language  that  all  could  understand,  how 
much  that  venerable  old  man  of  God  was  esteemed.  The  funeral 
sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Andrew  Broaddus.  The  reli- 
gious services  were  opened  with  the  following  hymn,  from  Dr. 
E-ippon's  Selection  : —  , 

'Lord,  ■when  we  see  a  saint  of  thine 

Lie  gasping  out  his  breath, 
With  longing  eyes  and  looks  divine, 

Smiling  and  pleased  with  death.' 

"  The  throne  of  grace  was  then  addressed  by  the  Rev.  Philip 
Montague  in  an  impressive  manner.  The  text  selected  for  the 
occasion  was  taken  from  2  Tim.  iv.  6,  Y,  8  :  'I  am  now  ready  to 
be  offered,'  etc." 

The  following  are  the  closing  remarks  of  this  discourse  : — 
"May  I  not  say,  brethren,  that  what  he  preached  to  others,  he 
lived  himself?  It  is  not  my  intention,  in  what  I  am  saying,  to 
delineate  a  strictly  perfect  and  faultless  character.  No  !  were  I  to 
attempt  this,  I  should  seem  to  myself  to  see  the  spirit  of  my  de- 
parted friend  looking  down  on  me  with  a  frown  of  disapprobation. 
JSTo !  as  one  of  the  fallen  family  of  Adam  restored  by  grace  to  a 
spiritual  life,  be  still  felt  and  mourned  the  lingerings  of  the  mortal 
disease,  and  '  a  sinner  saved  by  grace,'  was  the  motto  which  he 
wore. 

"Still,  however,  I  may  justly  say,  that  he  lived  himself  what  he 
preached  to  others.  No  self-denial  was  inculcated  on  others  which 
he  was  not  willing  to  undergo ;  no  religious  and  moral  duties  en- 
joined which  he  did  not  practice.  Nor  did  he  appear  to  suffer 
himself  to  be  engrossed  by  one  class  of  duties,  so  as  to  disregard 
and  neglect  another.  Standing  in  diiferent  relations  in  life,  it 
appeared  to  be  his  aim  (as  it  ought  to  be  the  aim  of  all)  to  esti- 
mate each  of  these  relations  according  to  its  importance,  and  give 
his  attendance  to  each  accordingly.  He  knew,  indeed,  that  there 
are  no  duties  which  really  clash  with  each  other ;  they  only  appear 
so  when  we  do  not  pay  a  just  regard  to  the  various  relations  which 
we  occupy. 


ROBERT   B.  SEMPLE.  351 

"Thus,  with  a  zeal  that  never  grew  cold,  with  a  perseyerance 
that  never  tired,  did  our  much  esteemed  brother  hold  on  his 
course,  exposing  himself,  I  suspect,  even  beyond  the  bounds  of 
prudence,  till  the  last  fatal  disease  laid  him  on  the  bed  of  afflic- 
tion and  death,  to  call  him  from  his  labors,  to  that  eternal  'rest 
which  remains  for  the  people  of  God.' 

"Indulge  me  a  little  further.  I  shall  presently  be  done  with 
this  sketch,  and  bid  you  adieu.  Some  have  remarked,  from  the 
traces  of  my  friend's  countenance,  that  he  seemed  to  possess,  by 
nature,  a  temper  and  disposition  bordering  on  the  austere.  Al- 
lowing this  to  have  been  the  case,  we  ought  the  more  to  admire 
the  influence  of  that  heavenly  grace,  which,  from  its  throne  within, 
shone  so  obviously  through  his  features,  softening  the  whole  into 
a  kindly  expression,  and  giving  a  moral  lustre  to  his  countenance. 
Yes ;  we  ought  to  admire  that  heavenly  grace,  which  wrought  in 
his  soul  Christian  condescension  and  affability  toward  the  lowly, 
and  Christian  benevolence  toward  all  classes. 

"My  friends  !  have  I  said  too  much  ?  Have  I  said  enough? 
At  least  I  have  aimed  to  be  faithful,  in  this  imperfect  sketch  of 
our  departed  brother.  And  now  I  am  done  with  the  character : 
and  here  we  are  about  to  bid  our  lamented  and  beloved  Brother 
Semple  a  solemn  adieu  !  He  is  gone  !  No  more  shall  we  see 
him  here  among  us !  ~No  more  shall  the  eyes,  now  darkened  with 
the  shadow  of  death,  rest  on  the  sacred  page  of  this  pulpit  Bible  ! 
N'o  more  shall  the  lips,  now  sealed  up  in  silence,  speak  forth  to 
you  the  message  of  life !  But  long  and  deep  in  the  heart  shall  his 
memory  be  embalmed.  And  hark ! — there  is  a  voice  that  tells  me 
we  shall  see  him  again  I  Though  death  presses  heavily  on  him, 
and  waves  over  him  his  iron  sceptre,  it  is  but  a  short-lived  reign 
which  he  holds ;  and  the  immortal  Judge  comes  to  release  his 
servant — all  his  servants  from  the  dominion  of  the  tyrant.  Yes ; 
brother  of  my  soul,  I  shall  see  thee  again.  Semple  will  arise. 
All  the  saints  shall  arise,  dressed  in  immortal  robes,  for  '  the  mar- 
riage of  the  Lamb.'  The  chain  of  death  shall  be  broken;  the 
prison-doors  of  the  grave  shall  burst  asunder;  and  the  redeemed 
shall  come  forth  to  sing  the  song  of  triumph,  and  gather  around 
the  throne  in  deathless  felicity.  0  my  friends,  are  we  ready  for 
that  great  meeting  ?     Christians,  are  you  watching  ?     Are  your 


352  WILLIAM  LEIGH. 

lamps  trimmed,  your  lights  burning,  your  spirits  waiting  for  the 
coming  of  the  bridegroom  ?  My  unconverted  friends,  are  you 
lamenting  that  you  have  not  hearkened  to  the  voice  you  can  hear 
no  more  ?  Will  you  now  turn  to  God  ?  will  you  now  come  to 
Christ,  who  ever  lives  ?  Oh  turn  !  that  you  may  meet  the  Judge 
in  peace — and  your  old  preacher,  and  all  the  redeemed  in  glory. 
Farewell!" 


WILLIAM  LEIGH. 

William  Leigh  was  born  in  the  year  1Y61.  In  his  seven- 
teenth year  he  became  a  subject  of  conversion,  and  a  short  time 
after  joined  the  Baptist  church.  The  profession  thus  made  was 
adorned  by  a  consistent  life.  It  is  not  known  at  what  precise 
period  he  entered  the  ministry,  but  having  been  called  to  preside 
over  Petsworth  Church,  Gloucester  County,  he  retained  this  posi- 
tion for  twenty-five  years,  and  is  said  to  have  been  happily  in- 
strumental in  causing  many  to  seek  the  remission  of  their  sins. 
When  brought  to  a  bed  of  sickness,  his  mind  was  composed,  being 
stayed  upon  Him  in  whom  he  had  believed,  and  to  whom  he  had 
committed  the  interests  of  his  soul.  He  died  at  his  own  dwelling, 
in  Gloucester  County,  March  22,  1832. 


JAMES    RUCKS. 


Elder  James  Rucks  was  born  in  Chesterfield  County,  January 
22d,  1'751.  In  his  twenty-eighth  year  he  became  a  professor  of 
religion,  and  united  with  Skinquarter  Church,  in  his  native  county. 
Shortly  after  his  mind  became  concerned  respecting  his  duty  to 
publish  the  gospel,  and  after  much  prayerful  reflection,  he  resolved 
to  preach  Christ  and  him  crucified  to  his  fellow-men. 

For  thirteen  years  he  continued  to  labor  in  various  directions 


EDWARD   KELLY.  353 

in  his  Master's  work.  At  length  he  was  called  by  Tomahawk 
Church  to  go  in  and  out  before  them  as  their  spiritual  shepherd. 
He  was  ordained  August  11th,  1*792,  Elders  Clay,  Smith,  and 
Watkins  officiating  as  the  Presbytery.  His  connection  with  the 
church  as  pastor  was  retained  six  years,  when,  in  consequence  of 
delicate  health,  he  was  compelled  to  resign.  For  twelve  years 
he  suffered  so  much  with  infirmity  of  body  that  he  was  unable  to 
walk.  He  still  preached,  frequently  at  his  own  dwelling,  and  at 
Skinquarter  Meeting-house.  When  unable  to  stand  alone  he  was 
borne  to  his  horse  by  brethren,  and  then  into  the  house  of  Grod, 
where,  seated  in  a  chair,  he  addressed  his  fellow-men  on  eternal 
things. 

He  was  always  considered  a  plain,  experimental  preacher,  being 
often  exceedingly  zealous  in  his  appeals  to  the  congregation.  He 
died  May  12th,  1818. 


EDWARD    KELLY. 

Elder  Edward  Kelly  was  one  of  the  most  esteemed  and 
useful  Baptist  ministers  of  Southwestern  Virginia.  Though 
a  man  of  plain  understanding  and  limited  opportunities,  by  a 
course  of  unblemished  piety  and  patient  labor  in  the  cause  of  his 
Divine  Master,  he  accomplished  more  than  many  learned  but  less 
devoted  men.  When  he  commenced  the  ministry  he  resided  in  a 
comparatively  new  country,  and  therefore  was  the  less  disqualified 
by  an  uncultivated  mind  for  the  duties  of  his  station. 

He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Washington  Association, 
and  his  ministry  was  mostly  confined  to  the  Counties  of  Scott  and 
Russel.  His  labors  were  blessed  to  a  remarkable  extent  in  the 
conversion  of  sinners.  In  1801  especially,  a  season  of  refreshing 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  was  enjoyed,  when  two  or  three 
hundred  souls  were  brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ,  and  two  or 
three  new  churches  constituted.     He  continued  from  time  to  time 

VOL.  L — X  30* 


354  EGBERT   LATHAM. 

to  be  blessed  in  bis  ministrations.  As  be  advanced  in  years  he 
Increased  in  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  finally  came  down 
to  his  grave  like  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe.  He  has  been  but  a 
few  years  dismissed  from  his  stewardship. 


ROBERT    LATHAM.* 


Robert  Latham  was  born  in  the  County  of  Culpepper  on  the 
2d  of  November,  1'I69.  His  parents  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
church,  and  of  respectable  standing  in  civil  society.  He  was  bap- 
tized when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  joined  some  church  in 
Culpepper  County.  He  was  married  shortly  after  to  Miss  Cun- 
diff,  of  respectable  family,  in  the  County  of  Prince  William,  where 
he  settled,  and  pursued  the  business  of  a  carpenter  for  some 
time ;  then  became  a  farmer.  He  moved  his  membership  from 
Culpepper  to  the  Little  River  Church  in  Loudon  County,  near 
to  the  Prince  William  line,  and  commenced  speaking  in  public 
about  1806  or  180T,  and  was  ordained  about  1809.  In  this  year 
he  became  the  pastor  of  Little  River  Church.  In  June,  1810, 
he  took  the  charge  of  Long  Branch  Church,  in  Fauquier.  He 
also  preached  for  awhile  to  a  congregation  in  Prince  William, 
where,  in  1812,  a  church  was  constituted,  called  Bethlehem,  of 
which  he  became  the  pastor. 

In  consequence  of  a  misunderstanding  between  him  and  the 
church  at  Little  River,  in  1824,  the  pastoral  connection  was  dis- 
solved, and  he  joined  the  church  at  Bethlehem.  In  182*7  the  con- 
nection between  him  and  the  church  at  Long  Branch  was  dissolved. 

His  system  was  high  Calvinism,  and  to  some  he  seemed  to 
border  on  fatalism ;  but  this  he  himself  denied  as  a  consequence 
growing  out  of  his  views.  He  could  not,  however,  see  the  con- 
sistency of  holding  to  salvation  by  grace,  and  exhorting  sinners 
to  the  exercise  of  evangelical  repentance,  faith,  etc.  Notwith- 
standing these  views,  it  is  believed  that  he  had  occasionally  con- 
siderable conflicts  of  mind  upon  these  subjects.     At  one  period 

*  By  Elder  George  Love. 


WILLIAM   RICHARDS.  355 

he  spoke  to  the  writer  of  this  article  in  very  high  terms  of  Fuller's 
Essays,  and  seemed  as  if  his  difficulties  were  removed ;  but  this 
did  not  abide.  He  appeared  to  fraternize  freely  with  his  brethren 
who  differed  from  him,  and  when  warm  in  his  feelings,  and  out  of 
sight  of  his  system,  would  preach  very  acceptably  upon  practical 
and  experimental  subjects.  He  was  unassuming  in  his  ministerial 
character,  humble  as  a  Christian,  and  exemplary  in  his  moral  de- 
portment. He  departed  this  life  on  the  15th  of  April,  1833. 
The  Columbia  Association,  at  their  session  in  August,  1833,  in- 
structed a  committee  to  draw  up  some  article  relative  to  his 
decease.  Upon  the  report  of  the  committee,  the  following  article 
was  adopted  by  the  Association  : — 

"  The  Association  sympathize  with  the  church  at  Bethlehem, 
and  with  his  bereaved  family,  in  the  death  of  our  aged  and  vener- 
able brother.  Elder  Robert  Latham.  He  was  called  by  the 
grace  of  God  in  early  life  to  the  knowledge  and  profession  of  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  through  a  long  life  was  enabled  to 
keep,  the  faith,  and  to  contend  for  it.  His  life  was  a  living  com- 
ment on  the  blessed  gospel  he  preached  to  others,  his  guide 
through  life  and  his  support  in  the  hour  of  death.  While  we 
sorrow  '  that  we  shall  see  his  face  no  more,'  we  are  consoled,  with 
his  numerous  friends,  by  the  consideration  that  his  death  was  as 
happy  as  his  life  had  been  holy  and  useful.  He  came  to  his  grave 
in  peace." 

His  first  wife  made  no  profession  of  religion.  By  her  he  had 
four  children ;  two  of  them  are  still  living.  His  second  wife  was 
Miss  Sarah  Rust,  a  Baptist  lady,  who  yet  survives  him. 


WILLIAM    RICHARDS. 

Elder  William  Richards  was  born  in  Essex  County,  in  1Y63, 
of  highly  respectable  parents.  At  the  early  age  of  eighteen,  it 
pleased  God  to  translate  him  from  darkness  into  his  marvelous 
light,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Baptists.  He  had  en- 
joyed the  opportunity  of  hearing  some  of  their  most   zealous 


356  WILLIAM  RICHARDS. 

preachers,  and  was  won  by  the  troths  which  they  proclaimed.  At 
that  time  in  his  native  county  the  Episcopal  church  was  the 
popular  sect,  while  the  Baptists  were  everywhere  spoken  against. 
It  need  not  therefore  excite  surprise,  that  his  relations  and  friends 
should  be  violently  opposed  to  his  immersion.  Every  expedient 
was  resorted  to  that  it  might  be  prevented.  But,  having  examined 
the  Scriptures  and  learned  the  path  of  duty,  he  was  immovable 
in  his  determination  to  pursue  it.  He  became  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  1^81.  It  was  his  portion  to  suffer  many  jDain- 
ful  trials  as  a  follower  of  the  Redeemer.  All  these,  however, 
were  borne  with  Christian  meekness ;  and  such  was  the  manifest 
influence  of  the  gospel  in  purifying  his  heart  and  life,  that  the 
mouths  of  gainsayers  were  at  length  stopped,  and  he  was  no 
longer  the  subject  of  contempt  and  persecution.  Those  who  had 
most  ridiculed  were  compelled  to  respect  him  as  a  good  man. 

Yery  soon  after  this  change  he  conceived  it  his  duty  to  preach 
the  gospel.  His  earliest  attempts  at  public  speaking  were  unpro- 
mising; and  by  many  it  was  judged  that  he  would  never  stand 
high  as  a  preacher.  But  in  this  their  judgment  was  erroneous. 
It  should  be  stated  that  most  of  his  first  efforts  were  made  in 
North  Carolina;  but  in  1794  he  was  induced  to  remove  to  the 
County  of  Mecklenburg,  Yirginia.  Here  he  spent  the  remnant 
of  his  life,  and  with  justice  it  may  be  said,  that  few  men,  within  a 
similar  sphere  of  labor,  have  risen  to  greater  eminence  than  he, 
especially  as  it  regards  the  purity  of  his  life. 

The  same  year  he  removed  from  North  Carolina  he  was  chosen 
pastor  of  Blue  Stone,  now  called  Bethel  Church.  In  1799  a 
revival  was  experienced,  which  resulted  in  the  accession  of  more 
than  one  hundred  members.  The  year  previous  he  consented  to 
serve  as  their  pastor,  Sandy  Creek  Church,  Charlotte  County, 
and  in  1802  a  most  refreshing  season  commenced,  which  continued 
for  eighteen  months,  and  during  which  a  large  number  were  added. 
His  labors  were  extended  to  different  parts  of  Mecklenburg, 
Lunenburg,  and  Charlotte,  for  many  years,  to  the  joy  and  edifica- 
tion of  the  people  of  God. 

His  principal  attention,  however,  was  given  to  Blue  Stone,  or 
Bethel,  this  church  being  in  the  vicinity  of  his  own  residence. 
Yery  few  country  churches  in  Yirginia  have  exceeded  Bethel  in 


WILLIAM  RICHARDS.  357 

its  influence  and  usefulness.  In  their  pastor  they  found  an 
example  of  Christian  loyeliness,  and  in  most  respects  they  fol- 
lowed him  as  he  followed  Christ.  They,  with  their  pastor,  were 
not  only  prompt  in  their  labors  for  the  salvation  of  sinners  at 
home,  but  made  rigorous  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  wretched 
heathen  in  distant  lands.  For  many  years  they  were  in  the  habit 
of  raising  a  large  sum  for  foreign  missions,  while  the  Bible  cause 
and  other  good  objects  received  their  hearty  approval  and  liberal 
contributions. 

Elder  Richards  was  highly  distinguished  for  the  unaffected 
simplicity  of  his  character.  Whether  in  the  family,  or  mingling 
in  society,  or  in  the  pulpit,  there  was  the  same  unassuming  art- 
lessness  of  manner.  This  softness  and  meekness  were  not  merely 
the  result  of  natural  temperament.  In  this  respect  he  was  willing 
to  say,  "by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am." 

While  he  was  thus  exhibiting  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove  he 
was  not  deficient  in  firmness.  When  truth  was  to  be  defended 
or  discipline  in  the  church  enforced,  he  was  resolute  in  purpose  to 
discharge  his  duty.  He  was  an  excellent  disciplinarian.  No 
abuses  were  allowed  to  remain  uncorrected,  nor  did  transgression 
among  his  brethren  pass  unrebuked.  A  mighty  sanction  was 
given  to  his  influence  in  supporting  a  wholesome  discipline  in  the 
church  by  his  own  bright  Christian  example.  None  could  look 
at  his  life  without  being  compelled  to  approve  and  admire.  ISTor 
was  his  influence  in  ruling  well  among  his  brethren  confined  to 
the  churches  he  served.  It  was  felt  in  the  Meherrin  Association, 
over  which,  as  Moderator,  he  presided  for  a  number  of  years. 
This  body  owed  much  of  its  strength  and  efficiency  to  his  labors. 
In  its  early  history  he  was  in  the  habit  of  passing  almost  every 
year  among  its  churches,  supplying  the  destitute  with  the  preached 
word,  and  giving  encouragement  and  support  to  those  which 
were  feeble.  At  their  annual  meetings  he  occupied  the  chair 
with  peculiar  dignity,  aweing  into  silence  the  turbulent,  while 
all  the  members  of  the  body  were  compelled  to  respect  and 
love  him. 

As  a  preacher  he  was  esteemed — among  the  more  judicious 
and  pious,  highly  so — not  for  profundity  of  thought,  or  elegance 
of  diction,  but   the   peculiar  simplicity  and  energy  with  which 


358  WILLIAM   CREATE. 

scriptural  truth  was  exhibited.  He  always  gave  evidence  that 
the  subject  of  his  discourse  had  been  well  studied.  It  is  true,  he 
had  not  access  to  a  well-furnished  library.  This,  had  it  been 
practicable,  would  have  yielded  peculiar  satisfaction.  His  prin- 
cipal works  of  research  were  the  Bible  and  concordance;  from 
these  he  collected  and  arranged  such  arguments  and  illustrations 
as  his  subjects  required.  He  was  pre-eminently  a  j^^eacher  of 
the  cross.  To  dwell  on  the  person  and  work  of  Emanuel  was  his 
chief  delight.  Many  now  living  can  well  remember  the  impas- 
sioned and  yet  artless  simplicity  of  manner  with  which  the  plan 
of  salvation  was  explained  and  recommended. 

For  several  years  before  his  death  feebleness  of  body  compelled 
him  to  relinquish  all  his  pastoral  connections.  Still  the  house  of 
God  was  not  forsaken.  Nothing  furnished  a  richer  satisfaction 
than  the  society  of  his  Christian  brethren  and  the  services  of 
public  worship.  But  at  length  the  hour  of  his  dismissal  came, 
and  it  found  him  ready.  He  knew  in  whom  he  had  believed,  and 
joyfully  did  he  commit  the  mighty  interests  of  eternity  into  the 
hands  of  his  Divine  Redeemer.  He  died  on  the  13th  of  July, 
1837,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age,  having  been  about 
iifty  years  in  the  ministry. 


WILLIAM    CREATH. 

Elder  William  Creath  was  a  native  of  ISTova  Scotia.  He 
was  born  December  23d,  1*768.  His  father  emigrated  to  Gran- 
ville County,  North  Carolina,  in  1T86,  and  became  a  permanent 
resident  of  that  State.  Previous  to  this  removal  his  son  William 
was  brought  under  the  influence  of  Divine  truth,  and  was  enabled 
to  cherish  the  gospel  hope.  No  public  profession  of  religion  was 
made  until  1781,  when  he  was  baptized  by  Elder  Henry  Lester, 
and  joined  a  church  in  North  Carolina,  of  which  Elder  Thomas 
Yass  was  pastor. 

The  same  year,  being  then  about  twenty-years  of  age,  he  began 
to  preach  Christ  and  him  crucified,  as  the  way  to  God.     Pos- 


WILLIAM  CKEATH.  359 

sessing  promising  talents,  he  was  invited  by  Elder  John  Williams, 
of  Lunenburg  County,  Virginia,  to  reside  with  him,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  improving  his  mind  by  a  course  of  general  reading. 
"With  Mr.  Williams  he  remained  for  two  or  three  years,  during 
which  time  he  made  considerable  progress  in  knowledge.  In  his 
instructor  he  found  not  only  a  warm  friend,  but  a  pious  and 
talented  man. 

In  1791  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  married  to  Miss 
Lucretia  Brame,  with  whom  he  lived  for  more  than  thirty-one 
years  in  the  County  of  Mecklenburg,  Yirginia.  They  had  sixteen 
children,  some  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  His  wife  proved  an 
efficient  helper  in  his  labors  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 

He  was,  according  to  Semple,  the  means  of  originating  the 
churches  called  Allen's  Creek  and  Wilson's,  and  for  some  time 
supplied  Malone's,  all  in  Mecklenburg  County.  These  churches, 
even  though  in  his  immediate  vicinity,  did  not,  to  any  great 
extent,  prosper,  arising  from  the  fact  that  he  was  but  compara- 
tively little  at  home.  He  was  in  the  habit  of  making  lengthy 
tours  through  different  parts  of  Maryland,  Yirginia,  and  North 
Carolina.  For  many  years  he  was  scarcely  employed  in  any  other 
way  than  as  an  itinerating  preacher.  It  could  have  been  wished 
that  he  had  occupied  a  more  circumscribed  sphere  and  been  more 
regular  in  his  circuit,  as  in  this  way  he  might  have  shed  a  more 
effective  influence  on  the  cause  of  Christ. 

He  was  in  many  respects  qualified,  as  a  public  speaker,  to 
command  the  attention  of  his  auditors,  and  generally  called  out, 
wherever  he  preached,  large  congregations.  That  some  idea  of 
his  talents  and  manners  may  be  obtained,  the  following  testimony 
from  the  pen  of  Elder  Semple  will  be  introduced.  Mr.  Semple, 
being  well  acquainted  with  Elder  Creath,  was  qualified  to  give  a 
correct  judgment.  Referring  to  Wilson's  Church,  he  says :  "This 
church  was  planted  by  the  labors  of  Elder  William  Creath  while 
he  was  pastor  of  Allen's  Creek.  At  first  they  were  small;  but  in 
1802  God  sent  them  a  time  of  refreshing,  when  about  forty  were 
baptized.  Since  then,  there  have  been  deaths,  removals,  and 
expulsions,  sufficient  to  counterbalance  their  additions;  so  that 
their  number  at  present  is  only  fifty-four.  Although  they  have 
not  for  some  years  been  blessed  with  a  revival,  yet,  under  the  care 


860  WILLIAM  CREATE. 

of  their  active  and  laborious  pastor,  they  enjoy  peace,  love,  and 
good  order. 

"Elder  Creath  is  a  man  of  strong  mind  and  deep  research,  in 
matters  of  divinity ;  and  were  his  manner  equal  to  his  matter,  he 
would  be  among  the  greatest  of  preachers.  He  is  thought  by 
some  to  be  too  fond  of  polemic  points,  so  as  to  lessen  his  useful- 
ness by  exciting  unnecessary  prejudices.  One  thing  is  certain, 
that  in  subjects  of  dispute,  there  is  a  time  to  speak  and  a  time  to 
be  silent ;  and  when  we  speak  unreasonably,  and  especially  if  it 
should  be  intemperately,  we  damage  the  very  cause  we  profess  to 
espouse.  But  with  this  (if  this  be  so)  Elder  Creath  is  a  very 
useful  man.  He  seems  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  the 
honor  of  his  Master." 

It  is  painful  to  be  compelled  to  state  that,  in  the  latter  part  of 
Elder  Creath's  life,  he  was  charged  with  the  use  of  spirituous 
liquors,  even  to  intoxication.  The  hearts  of  his  brethren  were 
grieved,  while  the  cause  of  religion  sustained  an  injuiy  which, 
perhaps,  he  was  never  able  fally  to  repair.  The  charges  alleged 
against  him  were  acknowledged,  and  there  is  abundant  reason  to 
believe  that  he  was  truly  penitent.  Before  a  large  congregation 
he  expressed  deep  sorrow  for  the  wound  which  he  had  inflicted  on 
the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and  became  pledged,  in  the 
strength  of  the  Lord,  no  more  to  indulge  in  this  habit. 

The  clerk  of  Meherrin  Association  refers  to  this  circumstance 
in  the  following  language  :  "  Let  this  stand  as  a  beacon  to  all  un- 
wary mariners  on  the  boisterous  ocean  of  life,  that  they  run  not 
on  those  rocks  upon  which  many  have  dashed,  to  the  reproach  of 
that  good  name  by  which  they  were  called." 

About  two  years  after  this  circumstance  he  was  called  to  give 
an  account  of  his  stewardship.  He  left  home  on  the  4th  of  July, 
182.3,  on  a  tour  of  preaching  in  the  lower  part  of  North  Carolina. 
From  this  journey  he  was  not  permitted  to  return.  On  his  way 
home  he  was  arrested  by  an  inflammatory  disease,  and  was  con- 
fined to  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Blunt,  in  Edenton.  On  the  ninth 
of  August  he  died,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

"It  is  said  by  those  who  had  heard  him  for  a  number  of  years, 
that  they  had  never  known  him  preach  with  such  power  as  he  did 
on  his  last  tour.     He  spoke  as  though  he  knew  it  was  the  last 


WILLIAM  CREATE.  361 

battle,  and  in  full  confidence  of  victory.  The  last  time  he  preached 
he  seemed  to  be  in  full  view  of  heaven,  and  observed,  as  he  arose, 
that  he  could  scarcely  stand ;  but,  as  he  firmly  believed  it  was  the 
last  time,  he  was  more  anxious  to  gain  a  triumph  than  he  ever 
had  been  before.  That  was  on  Thursday,  and  on  the  Saturday 
following  he  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus. 

"In  the  whole  of  his  illness  he  manifested  a  noble  indifference 
to  himself,  with  the  most  tender  and  sympathetic  concern  for  his 
dear  family  and  for  the  church  of  Christ;  and  with  great  fervor 
he  poured  out  his  affectionate  petitions  for  them.  The  day  he 
died  he  tried  to  preach  to  all  that  came  to  see  him  from  these 
words,  'Thy  kingdom  come ;' and  when  he  could  not  preach  he 
prayed. 

"The  following  are  a  few  of  the  many  passages  of  Scripture 
which  he  repeated  :  'Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  and  there 
is  none  upon  the  earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee ;  I  have  fought 
a  good  fight ;  I  know  on  whom  I  have  believed ;  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth  ;  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting  !  Come,  Lord  Jesus, 
come  quickly  '  His  fortitude  was  unshaken,  and  his  faith  strong. 
Without  a  struggle  he  inclined  his  head  on  his  Saviour's  breast, 
and  breathed  his  life  out  sweetly  there.  And  just  as  his  joyful 
soul  was  about  to  take  its  flight  he  repeated  this  verse : — 

'  Farewell,  vain  world,  I  am  going  home ; 
My  Saviour  smiles,  and  bids  me  come ; 
Bright  angels  beckon  me  away 
To  realms  of  everlasting  day.' 

"He  left  an  affectionate  spouse,  who  assisted  him  in  his  minis- 
terial labors,  and  thirteen  children,  all  of  whom  have  since  be- 
come members  of  the  Baptist  church ;  five  of  this  number  were 
ministers." 

It  will  not  be  out  of  place,  in  closing  this  sketch,  to  notice  the 
character  of  this  excellent  lady,  since  she  contributed  in  no  small 
degree  to  the  efficiency  of  her  husband.  She  was  the  dangliter 
of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Brame,  of  Granville  County,  JSTorth 
Carolina.  It  was  her  extreme  affliction  to  be  left  for  thirty  years 
with  a  large  family  dependent  upon  her  instruction  and  guidance. 

VOL.  I.  31 


362  WILLIAM   CREATE. 

The  writer  remembers  to  have  seen  her  a  short  time  after  this 
painful  event,  and  was  impressed  with  the  simple  confidence  she 
seemed  to  repose  in  the  widow's  God.  Cheerfully  and  trustfully 
did  she  cast  herself  upon  the  Almighty  arm.  I^or  was  this  faith 
a  mere  idle  speculation.  She  entered  upon  the  duties  of  her  posi- 
tion with  patient  energy,  resolved  that  all  her  responsibilities 
should  be  fully  discharged.  The  affairs  of  her  household  were 
guided  with  discretion. 

Especially  as  a  Christian  mother  did  she  excel.  Her  whole  life 
was  a  refutation  of  the  argument,  that  the  practice  of  believers' 
baptism  militates  against  the  proper  religious  education  of  the 
young.  She  was  a  zealous  advocate  of  this,  as  a  practice  war- 
ranted by  the  Evangelical  Lawgiver.  She  was  able  to  defend,  and 
often  did  defend  this  practice.  But  never  was  a  Christian  more 
intent  or  more  intelligent  in  fulfilling  the  duty  of  bringing  up 
her  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  She 
instructed  them  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  in  all  the 
duties  they  owed  to  God  and  their  fellow-men. 

Such  was  her  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  Bible,  that  she 
was  able  to  converse  intelligently  on  the  higher  doctrines  of  the 
gospel,  having  selected  and  arranged  ready  for  use  those  passages 
which  might  be  needed  to  sustain  them.  In  the  absence  of  her 
husband,  who  was  often  away  on  tours  of  preaching,  she  was  in 
the  habit  of  leading  in  family  worship,  and  requiring  her  children 
to  memorize  and  repeat  portions  of  the  Bible.  It  was  her  earnest 
desire  that  her  children  might  all  be  Christians,  and  frequently 
said  that,  like  Hannah,  she  was  willing  to  give  them  all  to  the 
Lord,  to  be  used  by  him  for  the  promotion  of  his  glory.  The 
fact  is  worthy  to  be  recorded  that,  long  before  her  death,  she  was 
able  to  entertain  the  hope  of  meeting  all  her  sixteen  sons  and 
daughters  in  the  heavenly  world.  She  rejoiced  also  to  know  that 
five  of  her  sons  had  entered  the  ministry.  In  a  good  old  age,  like 
a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe,  she  descended  to  the  grave.  Being  in 
Western  Virginia,  she  desired  to  return  to  her  friends  in  Bruns- 
wick, that  she  might  die  there  and  be  buried  with  her  family. 
Her  wish  was  gratified  ;  a  few  days  after  her  arrival  in  Brunswick 
County  she  calmly  yielded  her  departing  spirit  to  her  Father  and 
God,  maintaining  to  the  last  a  joyful  trust  in  the  Redeemer,  to 


NATHANIEL   CHAMBLES.  363 

whom  slie  had  committed  herself,  and  in  whose  service,  for  more 
than  sixty  years,  she  had  so  humbly  and  faithfully  engaged.  May 
her  large  posterity,  nearly  one  hundred  in  number,  all  be  followers 
of  her,  as  she  followed  Christ. 


NATHANIEL   CHAMBLES.* 

Elder  Nathaniel  Chambles  was  the  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  Chambles,  both  respectable  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  was  born  in  Sussex,  February  4,  1162.  He  had 
religious  impressions  from  an  early  age ;  but  it  was  not  until  his 
twenty-sixth  year  that  he  was  enabled  to  throw  himself  as  a  help- 
less sinner  upon  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  In  July, 
l'78t,  he  was  baptized  and  cordially  received  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  High  Hills  Church.  In  1803  he  commenced  preaching, 
and  in  1806  was,  by  the  unanimous  wish  of  his  church,  solemnly 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  For  many  years  he  was 
the  faithful  and  affectionate  pastor  of  the  High  Hills  and  Sappony 
Churches. 

Nothing  remarkable  occurred  in  his  history  as  a  minister  from 
the  period  of  his  ordination  until  1822.  At  this  time  he  was 
deeply  affected  by  the  coldness  and  darkness  which  pervaded  the 
churches.  "With  unusual  warmth  he  exhorted  the  members  of  his 
churches  to  be  diligent  in  searching  the  Scriptures,  faithful  in  self- 
examination,  and  fervent  in  prayer.  A  day  of  fasting  and  humilia- 
tion and  prayer  was  appointed  by  the  church  at  High  Hills.  God 
was  preparing  them  to  receive  a  blessing.  About  this  time  seve- 
ral laborers  were  providentially  sent  into  this  part  of  the  vineyard. 
A  blessed  revival  now  commenced.  In  about  a  year  sixty  or 
seventy  persons  were  converted,  baptized,  and  added  to  the 
churches.  During  this  season, of  "refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord,"  the  heart  of  our  aged  brother  was  filled  with  grati-, 
tude  and  delight ;  he  seemed  to  have  become  young  again ;  with 

*  From  Minutes  of  Portsmouth  Association. 


364  NATHANIEL   CHAMBLES. 

all  the  warmtli  and  tenderness  of  a  young  convert  he  ■would 
exhort,  and  pray,  and  weep. 

In  1825  his  constitution  evidently  began  to  fail  from  old  age 
and  a  disease  of  the  lungs;  he  was,  however,  permitted  to  con- 
tinue his  public  labors  until  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death.  His 
last  sermon  was  preached  from  1  Peter,  v.  6,  1.  He  was  blessed 
with  uncommon  freedom  in  speaking  from  the  latter  part  of  the 
text.  God,  perhaps,  was  preparing  his  children  to  "cast  their 
care  on  him"  in  the  heavy  affliction  they  were  soon  to  undergo. 
A  few  days  afterwards  he  was  attacked  with  a  bilious  fever,  which 
terminated  in  a  palsy.  Every  effort  was  made  by  his  kind  friends 
to  prolong  his  life,  but  the  hour  appointed  for  his  release  from  sin 
and  woe  was  at  hand.  His  mind  during  the  period  of  his  severe 
and  protracted  illness  was  serene  and  heavenly.  To  a  brother 
minister,  who  asked  him  if  he  was  willing  to  die,  he  replied:  "I 
have  nothing  to  fear."  For  about  two  weeks  before  his  death  he 
was  rendered  speechless  by  a  paralytic  affection,  so  that  his  family 
and  friends  were  not  permitted  to  receive  the  dying  advice  which 
he  would  otherwise  have  imparted.  A  niece,  perceiving  that  he 
was  in  his  right  mind,  said  to  him,  "Uncle,  you  will  use  your 
tongue  yet."  He  could  only  move  his  hand  significantly  toward 
heaven  and  smile.  His  countenance  indicated  the  tranquillity  of 
his  soul.  On  the  4th  of  December,  1827,  he  fell  asleep  in  Christ. 
His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  from  Rev.  xiv.  13.  His  body 
was  followed  to  the  grave  by  a  numerous  train  of  relatives,  friends, 
and  brethren,  and  committed  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  the 
living,  to  repose  till  the  resurrection  morn. 

It  is  not  easy  to  delineate  the  character  of  a  good  man ;  his 
excellencies,  like  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  are  so  mingled  that  it 
is  difficult  to  distinguish  them.  He  was  not  a  cold,  heartless  pro- 
fessor of  Christianity — a  Christian  only  in  name  and  appearance. 
He  believed  the  doctrine,  imbibed  the  spirit,  followed  the  exam- 
ple, and  heartily  espoused  the  cause  of  Christ.  His  religion  was 
sincere,  warm,  and  constant.  The  whole  family  of  Christian 
graces  dwelt  and  flourished  in  his  heart.  We  can  exhibit  only  a 
few  which  attained  the  greatest  perfection  in  his  life. 

He  was  eminent  for  humility.  No  man  possessed  a  deeper 
sense  of  his  sinfulness  and  insufficiency  than  he  did.     He  could 


NATHANIEL  CHAMBLES.  365 

heartily  subscribe  to  the  saying  of  the  pious  Newton,  "I  am 
nothing,  I  have  nothing,  and  I  can  do  nothing."  He  literally 
"esteemed  others  better  than  himself."  A  discerning  man  could 
not  long  be  in  his  presence  without  admiring  his  modesty  and  gen- 
tleness ;  these  were  the  robes  in  which  he  was  adorned. 

Our  venerable  brother  distinguished  himself  by  acts  of  benefi- 
cence. His  heart  was  warmed  with  love  to  God  and  men,  and 
his  hand  opened  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  needy.  He  considered 
himself  only  a  steward  of  God's  bounties.  He  was  one  of  the 
ready  and  liberal  supporters  of  the  benevolent  institutions  of  the 
day :  believing  them  calculated  to  promote  the  good  of  men,  he 
listened  not  to  the  objections  which  ignorance  and  avarice  fre- 
quently urge  against  them.  For  several  years  he  maintained  a 
minister  in  his  own  house,  and  gave  him  twenty  dollars  a  year, 
besides  the  salary  raised  by  the  churches,  for  his  services.  He 
fully  imbibed  the  spirit  of  that  saying  of  our  Lord,  "It  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."  His  benevolence  was  free,  full, 
and  constant. 

He  possessed  a  remarkable  control  over  his  tongue.  His  inti- 
mate acquaintances  well  know  that  on  all  subjects  he  spoke  with 
the  utmost  caution.  Foolish  jesting,  trivial  conversation,  and  cen- 
sorious expressions,  never  fell  from  his  lips.  "  Swift  to  hear,  slow 
to  speak,"  was  never  more  descriptive  of  any  man  than  himself. 
With  his  friends  he  would  sometimes  converse  freely,  and  his 
conversation  was  both  interesting  and  instructive.  Alas,  how  few 
employ  their  tongues  as  if  they  expected  to  give  account  to  God 
for  every  word ! 

As  an  economist,  he  has  rarely  been  equaled.  His  affairs 
were  conducted  in  the  most  perfect  order ;  by  industry,  persever- 
ance, and  God's  blessing,  he  made  ample  provision  for  the  support 
and  comfort  of  his  family. 

As  a  minister,  our  respected  brother  never  gained  great  ap- 
plauSe.  His  education  was  slender:  he  embarked  in  the  ministry 
at  a  late  period  in  life,  and  was  always  surrounded  with  the  cares 
of  a  large  family :  it  is  not,  therefore,  to  be  expected  that  he  be- 
came eminent  in  his  profession.  He  closely  studied  the  Bible, 
and  was  a  plain,  solid,  faithful,  and  affectionate  preacher.  Though 
not  a  great,  he  was  a  good  minister.     He  was  always  solemn  and 

31* 


366.  SAMUEL   SHREWSBURY. 

dignified  in  the  pulpit.  One  trait  in  his  character,  as  a  minister, 
ought  to  be  particularly  noticed  :  he  was  not  envious.  The 
more  popular  and  useful  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  were  among 
his  churches,  the  more  he  was  delighted.  Indeed,  it  seemed  to 
be  no  part  of  his  object  to  be  admired  and  lauded  by  men. 
Though  he  would  not  -needlessly  offend  men,  he  sought  only  to 
please  God.  His  conduct  ought  to  put  to  shame  those  preachers 
who  are  pained  at  the  prosperity  of  their  fellow-laborers  in  God's 
vineyard. 


SAMUEL    SHREWSBURY.* 

Samuel  Shrewsbury  was  born  in  Hanover  County,  Yirginia, 
in  the  year  1736.  Some  time  in  the  year  l'r66,  he  removed  and 
settled  in  the  County  of  Bedford,  "Virginia,  where  he  became 
a  convert  to  the  Christian  faith,  and  was  baptized  about  the  year 
17Y0,  by  a  traveling  Baptist  minister  who  tarried  for  a  short  time 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  residence.  In  1^12  he  commenced  proclaim- 
ing the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  in  which  he  steadily  persisted 
until  the  year  1784,  when  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  intermittent  fever, 
which  he  was  thought  to  have  contracted  at  the  Big  Lick,  in 
Botetourt  County,  when  returning  from  a  tour  to  warn  his  fellow- 
creatures  to  flee  from  the  ^\Tath  to  come.  He  died  at  the  earlj 
age  of  forty-eight  years,  and  appears  to  have  been  cut  off  in  the 
midst  of  his  usefulness,  and  thus  furnished  additional  evidence 
that  the  ways  of  God  are  inscrutable  to  man.  After  a  lapse  of 
more  than  half  a  century,  it  is  difficult  to  collect  specific  informa- 
tion in  relation  to  Mr.  S. — so  difficult,  indeed,  that  no  attempt 
would  now  be  made  to  rescue  his  memory  from  oblivion,  were  it 
not  for  the  fact  that  he  lived  and  labored  in  portentous  times. 
We  are  at  but  little  loss  to  determine  of  what  manner  of  spirit  a 
man  is,  when  he  espouses  an  unpopular  cause,  and  earnestly  con- 
tends for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  against  an  over- 
whelming current  of  opposition  created  by  the  lordlings  of  the 

*  By  Ekler  William  C.  Ligon. 


NATHANIEL  SIIREWSBURy.  3G7 

country.  It  is  no  meager  compliment  to  record  tlie  name  of  an 
individual  as  a  Baptist  minister,  zealously  laboring  in  Yirginia 
between  the  years  1*712  and  1784.  We  claim  for  such  a  one 
more  than  presumptive  evidence  that  we  record  the  name  of  a 
Christian  and  a  patriot.  Well  might  a  highly  reputable  and  in- 
fluential citizen  of  Kanawha  County  say,  in  a  letter  now  before 
me,  "  I  am  proud  that  I  am  a  descendant  of  Samuel  and  nephew 
of  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury." 

It  is  doubtful  whether  Mr.  S.  was  ever  ordained :  facilities  for 
ordination  were  rare  in  the  then  frontier  country  of  his  residence ; 
but  be  that  as  it  may,  there  is  positive  evidence  that  he  was  an 
exemplary  and  successful  preacher  of  the  gospel.  Elder  William 
Leftwich  says,  in  relation  to  him:  "I  have  no  acquaintance  with 
him,  but  I  have  no  doubt,  from  what  I  have  heard  from  others, 
(now  fallen  asleep,)  that  he  was  a  worthy  man  of  God,  and  an 
acceptable  preacher."  Of  particular  exercises  of  mind  about  the 
time  of  his  dissolution,  I  have  no  information,  (my  principal  in- 
formant being,  at  that  period,  a  child  of  only  six  years  of  age, 
and  orphaned  by  his  death,)  but  if  we  are  permitted  to  deduce  a 
particular  conclusion  from  current  facts,  we  feel  justified  in  saying 
the  end  of  Samuel  Shrewsbury  was  peace. 


NATHANIEL    SHREWSBURY* 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  County  of  Hanover, 
Virginia,  in  the  year  1739,  and  removed,  in  company  with  his 
brother  Samuel,  to  Bedford  County,  in  the  year  1766. 

The  two  brothers  appear  to  have  made  a  profession  of  religion 
about  the  same  time,  were  baptized  by  the  same  man,  and  com- 
menced the  ministry  together.  Indeed,  the  history  of  the  one 
seems  to  be  the  history  of  the  other,  so  united  were  they  in  their 
lives  and  labors,  until  they  were  separated  by  the  death  of  Samuel, 
the  elder.     From  Sample's  "History  of  the  Baptists  in  Yirginia," 


*  By  Elder  William  C.  Ligon. 


368  NATHANIEL  SHREWSBURY. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury  constituted  Goose 
Creek,  Little  Otter,  and  Buffalo  Churches,  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Strawberry  Association.  Of  the  first  and  last  named  churches  he 
was  the  early  pastor. 

The  brief  and  indefinite  history  which  the  excellent  Semple 
has  written  of  Buffalo  Church  is  to  be  lamented ;  because,  when 
joined  to  his  table  of  the  Strawberry  Association,  it  is  calculated 
to  mislead  the  reader  and  leave  the  impression  that  Elder  Na- 
thaniel Shrewsbury  was  the  individual  to  whom  he  alluded  in  the 
following  remarks :  "A  good  preacher  is  one  of  the  best  gifts  of 
heaven  to  a  pious  people ;  but  if  he  unfortunately  forgets  his 
sacred  office,  and  neglects  to  keep  his  body  under,  and  thereby 
becomes  a  castaway,  the  affliction  is  more  than  commensurate 
with  the  former  blessing.  Buffalo  found  it  necessary  to  exclude 
her  once  useful  minister."  Who  that  "useful  minister"  was,  I 
have  no  means  of  determining,  but  facts  are  conclusive  in  favor 
of  the  idea  that  it  was  not  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury.  In  the  year 
IT 9 8  he  removed  to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Adair 
County,  where,  in  the  language  of  one  to  be  relied  on,  and  well 
acquainted  with  the  fact,  "he  continued  his  ministry  till  his 
death,  in  1825."  My  informant  also  adds  that  Mr.  Shrewsbury 
frequently  remarked,  "that  the  necessary  separation  from  his 
several  churches  gave  him  more  pain  than  he  had  power  to 
express."     He  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years. 

Elder  William  Leftwich,  of  Bedford  County,  in  a  letter  now 
before  me,  says:  "I  was  acquainted  with  him;  have  heard  him 
preach  ofteru  *  When  I  first  became  acquainted  with  him,  he  had 
the  care  of  Goose  Creek  Church.  I  think  he  must  have  been 
the  pastor  of  that  church  as  far  back  as  1180.  He  was  likewise 
the  pastor  of  Little  Otter  Church  from  the  time  of  its  constitu- 
tion, which  took  place  in  or  about  the  year  1Y85.  These  two 
churches  he  served,  aided  generally  by  Brother  William  Johnson,* 


*  I  have  endeavored,  but  in  vain,  to  collect  sufficient  information  to  com- 
pile a  biographical  sketch  of  Mr.  Johnson.  Where  or  when  he  was  born, 
or  the  time  and  circumstances  of  his  demise,  does  not  appear  to  be  known 
by  any  to  whom  I  have  applied  for  information.  That  such  a  man  settled 
in  the  County  of  Bedford,  in  the  character  of  a  Baptist  preacher,  about 


JEREMIAH    HATCHER.  369 

(than  whom  a  much  worthier  man  never  lived,)  until  the  year 
It 98,  when,  like  many  other  Baptist  preachers,  he  removed  to 
Kentucky.  While  connected  with  these  churches,  he  sometimes 
made  excursions  abroad.  Among  others,  the  Cow  Pasture  had 
his  occasional  visits.  As  a  preacher  he  was  popular,  with  many 
he  was  very  much  so.  He  was  truly  an  affectionate  and  exem- 
plary minister  of  the  gospel ;  his  labors  were  owned  and  blessed 
of  the  Lord.  Under  his  fostering  care,  his  churches  in  the  main 
were  prosperous.  His  talents  as  a  preacher,  there  is  no  doubt, 
were  above  mediocrity  in  his  day  and  sphere  of  labors." 

Elder  Leftwich's  opinion  of  the  talents  and  usefulness  of  Mr. 
Shrewsbury  is  amply  corroborated  by  the  testimony  of  others ; 
and  no  doubt  can  be  entertained  that  he  was  a  highly  gifted  and 
useful  preacher.  He  too  lived  and  labored  in  the  days  that  tried 
men's  souls ;  when  Baptist  minister  was  a  term  of  reproach  in 
Virginia,  and  when  such  a  one  wrought  in  the  Lord's  vineyard 
with  full  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  he  was  thereby  exposing 
himself  to  bonds,  stripes,  and  imprisonments.  God  was  pleased 
to  protract  his  days  to  see  the  ball  of  the  Revolution  wound  up ; 
to  taste  the  sweets  from  the  cup  of  religious  liberty ;  to  sit  under 
his  own  vine  and  fig  tree,  and  worship  agreeably  to  the  convic- 
tions of  his  own  mind,  nor  fear  nor  hear  the  voice  of  the  oppressor. 


JEREMIAH    HATCHER. 

As  respects  the  early  part  of  the  life  of  Elder  Jeremiah 
Hatcher,  we  have  no  information  whatever,  although  some 
pains  have  been  taken  among  his  surviving  friends  and  relatives 
to  obtain  it ;  all  those  from  whom  such  facts  might  have  been 

the  year  1778,  and  that  he  was  the  immediate  contemporary  and  active  and 
successful  fellow-helper  of  Elder  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury,  appears  to  be  in- 
contestibly  true. 

While  we  have  cause  to  lament  the  loss  of  his  record  on  earth,  no  little 
consolation  arises  from  the  confident  belief  that  Heaven  has  been  less  re- 
miss ;  that  the  record  is,  doubtless,  on  high. 
VOL.    I. — Y 


370  JEREMIAH   HATCHER. 

derived  are  now  no  more.  Yet  there  are  a  few  well-ascertained 
circumstances  worthy  the  attention  of  the  biographer,  which,  as  a 
testimonial  of  esteem  for  his  memory,  should  be  handed  down  to 
posterity. 

Elder  Hatcher  was  a  native  of  Chesterfield  County,  and  it 
is  said  his  ancestry  were  highly  respectable.  His  ministerial 
career  commenced  at  least  as  far  back  as  1*778.  He  is  stated 
to  have  been  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  called  Tomahawk, 
in  the  County  of  Chesterfield,  which  was  constituted  in  1777. 
This  church  he  served  about  two  years,  and  then  removed  to 
Bedford  County,  where  he  labored  with  much  acceptance  and 
usefulness,  and  in  a  very  short  time  became  the  pastor  of  the 
church  called  Northfork  of  Otter.  Whether  this  church  was 
constituted  before,  or  subsequently  to  his  removal  to  Bedford,  is 
somewhat  uncertain;  but  we  incline  to  think  it  was  about  this 
time.  This  church  was  built  up  principally  under  his  ministry, 
and  enjoyed  his  indefatigable  labors  without  fee  or  reward  until 
the  time  of  his  death. 

His  labors  were  not  confined  exclusively  to  this  church ;  he 
made  frequent  excursions  in  the  surrounding  country,  and  exerted 
an  influence  in  the  cause  of  his  Divine  Master  that  will  tell  when 
time  shall  cease  to  be  measured  by  days,  months,  and  years 
Elder  Hatcher  was  one  of  the  most  uniform  and  exemplary  men ; 
his  general  deportment  was  a  comment  on  his  profession — humble, 
grave,  solemn,  and  unassuming — thereby  commending  himself  to 
every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God.  He  was  greatly 
beloved  by  the  people  of  his  charge;  and  by  all  that  knew  him, 
whether  saint  or  sinner,  he  was  recognized  as  a  devout  man  of 
God.  He  was  an  uncompromising  Calvinist.  In  sentiment,  as 
a  preacher,  he  was  plain,  pointed,  and  consistent.  His  talents, 
though  not  highly  cultivated,  were  of  the  useful  sort,  and  were 
not  employed  in  vain,  for  the  work  of  the  Lord  prospered  in  his 
hands. 

Some  time  in  the  year  1804  he  bid  adieu  to  the  toils  and  labors 
of  a  life  not  spent  for  naught,  and  entered,  it  is  believed,  into  that 
rest  that  remains  for  the  people  of  God. 


JOHN   POINDEXTER.  37 1 


JOHN    POINDEXTER. 

The  ancestry  of  John  Poindexter  were  higlily  respectable. 
His  grandfather  was  a  French  Protestant,  whose  adherence  to 
religious  principles  compelled  him  to  leave  his  native  land  and 
seek  shelter  from  papal  oppression  in  the  Island  of  (jreat  Britain. 
At  this  time  he  was  the  head  of  a  large  family.  Shortly  after  his 
arrival  in  England,  one  of  his  sons,  Thomas  Poindexter,  became 
attached  to  a  young  lady,  whom  he  addressed,  and  who  recipro- 
cated his  affection.  As  there  was  considerable  disparity  in  their 
circumstances,  the  father  of  Thomas  was  much  displeased,  and 
expressly  forbade  the  connection.  More  effectually  to  prevent  it, 
he  gave  his  son  a  handsome  estate,  and  sent  him  to  Yirginia. 
This  being  made  known  to  the  young  lady,  she  determined  to 
follow  in  search  of  her  intended  husband,  and  for  this  purpose 
indented  herself  as  a  servant  for  four  years.  She  succeeded  in 
reaching  the  shores  of  Virginia.  The  young  Frenchman  having 
heard  that  a  vessel  with  servants  had  arrived,  and  desiring  to 
obtain  one,  made  application,  when,  on  examining,  he  discovered 
his  once  intended  spouse.  The  meeting  was  joyful.  They  rushed 
to  each  other's  embraces.  He  paid  the  stipulated  price,  and  she 
became  his  wife.  From  these  sprang  all  the  Poindexters  known 
in  America.  One  of  their  sons  was  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 
When  quite  young,  he  indicated  considerable  sprightliness  of 
mind,  and  the  best  advantages  for  education  which  the  country  at 
that  time  afforded,  were  enjoyed  by  him. 

It  was  not  until  he  became  a  married  man,  that  he  manifested 
interest  in  the  subject  of  religion ;  on  the  contrary,  he  was 
understood  to  be  an  opposer.  At  that  period  when  the  gospel 
was  first  proclaimed  by  the  Baptists  in  the  County  of  Louisa, 
where  he  resided,  he  employed  all  his  influence  to  resist  the 
truth.  But  the  Lord  was  mightier  than  he,  and  the  truth  became 
effectual  in  his  own  family.  His  wife  was  turned  to  the  Lord,  and 
rejoiced  in  him  as  her  Saviour.  This  circumstance  created  in  the 
bosom  of  Mr.  Poindexter  mingled  emotions  of  surprise  and  rage. 
His  opposition  was  exhibited  in  a  more  marked  and  decided  man- 


3Y2  JOHN  POINDEXTER. 

ner.  When  his  companion  desired  to  be  immersed,  and  to  unite 
herself  with  the  Baptists,  he  entered  his  express  prohibition 
against  it.  In  secret  places  she  often  wept,  and  sought  God  on 
behalf  of  his  cause  and  her  unbelieving  husband ;  nor  Avere  her 
entreaties  vain.  The  Lord  heard  her  prayer,  and  brought  her 
companion  to  feel  his  own  guilt  and  ruin,  and  to  sue  for  mercy. 
The  circumstances  of  his  conversion  are  thus  modestly  referred  to 
by  himself  :— 

"Two  women,  Mrs.  H.  and  Mrs.  P.,  who  lived  near  each 
other,  about  the  year  1Y88,  professed  conversion,  but  were  not 
baptized,  because  of  opposition.  The  husband  of  Mrs.  P.  was 
most  pointedly  against  her  being  baptized,  and  equally  so  against 
her  attending  Baptist  meetings.  These  women  often  mot  in 
secret,  to  converse  about  religion,  and  to  enjoy  each  other's  com- 
pany as  travelers  to  Zion.  In  the  course  of  their  conversations, 
they  expressed  their  desire  to  introduce  the  Baptist  ministry 
into  the  neighborhood,  and  concluded  that  an  application  should 
be  made  by  them  to  the  husband  of  Mrs.  P.  This  attempt, 
the  most  unlikely  to  succeed  to  human  view,  was  made,  and 
treated  at  first  very  indifferently  ;  but  ultimately,  it  was  observed 
by  him  that  he  had  no  objection  to  the  Baptist  preaching  on  his 
land — perhaps  it  might  benefit  some  of  his  neighbors  or  their 
children— that  if  he  did  not  go  to  heaven  himself,  he  was  willing 
they  should;  but  he  must  choose  the  preacher.  He  stated  his 
objections  strongly  against  noisy  preachers,  and  observed  that 
some  years  before,  he  had  heard  a  clever  old  gentleman  preach, 
by  the  name  of  Goodloe ;  if  he  could  be  had,  he  might  preach  on 
his  land,  and  that  preparations  should  be  made  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  a  congregation.  The  two  ladies  were  well  pleased. 
Elder  Goodloe  was  notified,  a  day  appointed  for  the  first  meeting, 
an  arbor  built,  and  seats  prepared  for  the  congregation. 

"  Though  Mr.  Poindexter  had  been  much  opposed  to  religion, 
and  would  not  attend  on  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  he  was  ap- 
prehended by  the  spirit  of  God,  and  under  serious  conviction 
before  the  meeting  came  on.  Elder  Goodloe  attended,  and  to  a 
large  congregation  preached  with  considerable  liberty,  from  the 
words,  'Ye  must  be  born  again.'  His  audience  appeared  serious, 
and  the  sermon  had  good  effect.     Particularly  the  poor  criminal, 


JOHN   POINDEXTER.  373 

John  Poindexter,  was  much  affected.  The  next  meeting  was  ap- 
pointed August  29th.  Previous  to  this  the  prisoner  was  brought 
forth,  the  sentence  pronounced  against  him,  which  he  acknow- 
ledged was  just,  and  saw  no  way  by  which  he  could  be  pardoned ; 
although  he  beheld  a  fullness  in  Christ  for  sinners,  he  could  not 
realize  a  hope  that  it  would  be  extended  to  a  sinner  so  yile  as 
himself.  But  God,  who  is  a  God  of  grace,  showed  unto  him  how 
he  could  save  him.  He  manifested  the  richness  of  his  grace  by 
opening  the  prison  doors  and  proclaiming  his  pardon. 

"By  this  man  the  Baptists  had  been  despised  ;  all  other  profes- 
sions of  religion  were  preferred  to  that  of  the  Baptists ;  but,  after 
having  experienced  the  pardoning  love  of  God,  he  esteemed  them 
above  all  people.  He  had  uniformly  opposed  baptism,  upon  pro- 
fession of  faith,  by  immersion;  but  now  he  was  thoroughly  con- 
vinced of  its  propriety.  His  wife,  who  had  been  for  nearly  two 
years  desirous  of  being  a  Baptist,  and  whom  he  had  heretofore 
prevented,  was,  August  29th,  1790,  led  into  the  water  by  her  hus- 
band, together  with  Mrs.  Henly,  and  they  were  all  baptized  by 
Elder  Henry  Goodloe.  The  news  had  spread  far  and  wide,  that 
the  baptism  above  alluded  to  would  take  place  on  that  day,  and 
people  attended  the  meeting  from  every  adjacent  county,  and  very 
generally  from  the  county  of  Louisa.  There  was  an  anxiety  in 
the  minds  of  the  people  to  know  the  truth  of  this  affair ;  numbers 
doubted,  and  others  attended  to  gratify  their  curiosity.  Many 
were  the  conjectures  of  the  people  about  the  baptism  of  that 
hardy  rebel,  John  Poindexter.  Some  supposed  he  joined  the 
Baptists  from  pecuniary  motives ;  some  that  it  was  to  gratify  his 
lusts ;  and  others  supposed  in  six  months  he  would  be  as  he  was 
before.  But  grace  knows  how  to  support  its  own.  Thanks  to 
our  redeeming  Lord,  they  were  false  prophets.  Prom  the  time 
of  this  baptism,  not  only  Elder  Goodloe,  but  Elders  Waller  and 
Webber,  attended  the  meetings ;  and  at  times  foreign  ministers. 
The  Word  of  the  Lord  grew  and  multiplied.  On  the  approach 
of  winter,  meetings  were  held  in  the  house  of  John  Poindexter. 
The  congregations  were  large ;  and  such  numbers  of  people  dined 
at  his  table,  that  the  devil  changed  his  voice  and  began  to  pity 
him  and  his  family.  Now,  instead  of  charging  him  with  pecu- 
niary motives,  he  declared  that  the  Baptists  would  eat  him  out 

VOL.  I.  32 


374  JOHN   POINDEXTER, 

of  house  and  home.  But  the  devil  v/as  a  liar  then,  as  he  is  now; 
for  God  prospered  him.  A  certain  lawyer  passed  through  his 
plantation,  and  looking  on  the  crops,  declared  that  he  would  be  a 
Baptist  too :  for  he  never  saw  such  crops  of  corn  as  Poindexter 
made  since  he  became  a  Baptist." 

About  a  year  after  his  baptism  he  began  to  speak  in  public, 
testifying  both  to  small  and  great  repentance  toward  God  and 
faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In  February,  1*192,  he  was  pub- 
licly ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  A  church  called 
Ptoundabout  (after  a  creek  of  that  name)  having  been  constituted 
near  his  house  when  he  was  converted  to  God,  he  was  unanimously 
invited  to  take  the  oversight  of  them.  This  relation  he  sustained 
for  many  years  ;  and  it  was  well  sustained.  As  a  preacher,  he 
was  eminently  successful,  especially  in  the  early  part  of  his  minis- 
try. Within  twelve  months  after  his  ordination  he  baptized  up- 
wards of  one  hundred,  and  the  church  continued  to  increase  until 
more  than  three  hundred  were  added.  Ilis  labors  were  extended 
into  the  neighboring  counties,  and  with  great  power  did  he  ex- 
hibit the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  He  was  instrumental  in  forming 
a  church  in  Albemarle,  called  Bethel,  which  soon  numbered  more 
than  one  hundred  members. 

For  some  time  also  he  labored  in  connection  with  William's 
Church,  and  his  ministrations  here  were  eminently  successful. 
"Under  his  ministr}'-,"  says  Mr.  Semple,  "they  enjoyed  a  pleasant 
revival  of  religion,  conducted  with  harmony,  solemnity,  and  order, 
in  which  about  ninety  or  one  hundred  were  baptized ;  of  these 
only  about  fourteen  were  excommunicated  in  ten  or  eleven  years, 
and  yet  their  discipline  has  been  regular."  Such  was  the  success 
of  Mr.  Poindexter's  endeavors  in  proclaiming  the  gospel,  that  in 
1198  another  congregation  was  constituted  as  a  branch  of  Round- 
about Church,  and  called  Siloam.  This  was  itself,  when  organized, 
a  strong  body. 

Elder  Poindexter  was  a  man  of  no  ordinary  talents.  His  dis- 
courses were  highly  doctrinal,  and  usually  displayed  much  thought 
and  discrimination.  He  seldom  preached  without  preparation, 
giving  evidence  that  in  no  common  degree  he  was  a  scribe  well 
instructed  in  the  things  of  the  kingdom. 

From  a  few  notes  in  possession  of  the  writer,  it  is  manifest  that 


JOHN   POINDEXTER.  375 

he  was  not  satisfied  with  a  cursory  view  of  things.  To  dig  deep 
in  the  mines  of  truth  was  his  delight.  N'or  did  he  labor  in  vain. 
The  precious  ones  were  brought  forth,  and  subjected  to  the  crucible 
of  investigation.  Many  a  precious  gem,  thus  brought  to  light,  en- 
riched its  possessor,  and  imparted  good  to  others.  No  one  could 
listen  to  him  without  deriving  instruction.  Indeed,  it  is  doubtful, 
from  the  specimens  of  his  style  of  writing  which  yet  remain,  and 
the  testimony  of  those  who  have  listened  to  him,  whether  among 
the  ministry  of  his  generation  we  have  had  a  more  able  man. 

The  influence  of  Elder  Poindexter  was  extensive  and  merited. 
For  many  years  he  was  the  clerk  of  Louisa  County;  and,  as  a 
member  of  the  community,  was  highly  useful.  He  always  ex- 
hibited a  prompt  and  Christian-like  benevolence  in  the  use  of  those 
means  which  were  intrusted  to  his  care  by  a  kind  Providence. 
He  seemed  to  feel  the  sentiment,  that  it  was  more  blessed  to  give 
than  to  receive.  His  pecuniary  sacrifices  in  promoting  the  cause 
of  God  at  different  times  were  numerous. 

Whatever  related  to  the  spread  of  evangelic  truth  was  regarded 
with  peculiar  interest.  He  was  ready  for  every  good  word  and 
work.  Though  diligent  and  faithful  in  attention  to  secular  duties, 
it  was  evident  to  all  that  the  highest  place  in  his  affections  was 
occupied  by  the  interests  of  Zion  and  of  souls.  When  the  mis- 
sionary enterprise  was  introduced  to  the  notice  of  Virginia  Bap- 
tists, his  whole  heart  entered  into  it,  and  he  was  ready  with  his 
tongue,  pen,  and  purse,  to  promote  its  interests.  Said  he  to 
Luther  Rice :  "  Command  me  and  my  services,  as  far  as  my 
feeble  powers  will  allow,  in  supporting  that  good  work,  and  I 
will  obey.  I  hope  that  the  good  Lord,  who  rules  in  the  heavens 
and  on  the  earth,  will  prosper  the  endeavors  of  all  who  are  found 
sustaining  the  glorious  cause  of  Foreign  Missions." 

The  doctrinal  sentiments  of  Elder  Poindexter  were  what  are 
usually  denominated  Calvinistic.  He,  however,  avowed  his  con- 
fidence in  the  simple  teachings  of  the  Bible,  calling  no  man  mas- 
ter. He  loved  to  contemplate  the  Divine  Sovereignty  in  the  plan 
of  redemption,  and  the  work  of  Providence.  Especially  was 
Christ  in  all  his  character,  ofiices,  and  work,  the  object  of  thought 
and  love.  One  of  his  manuscript  volumes  is  made  up  of  an  ex- 
amination of  the  various  names  appropriated  to  the  Son  of  God, 


376  JOHN  poindexter; 

and  esliibits  strikingly  the  leading  tendencies  of  his  mind  in  re- 
spect to  doctrinal  truth.  He  desired  to  know  nothing  but  Christ 
Jesus  and  him  crucified,  hanging  not  only  his  own  hope  of  salva- 
tion upon  this  doctrine,  but  urging  it  upon  others  as  worthy  of  all 
acceptation. 

His  views  of  the  structure  of  a  gospel  church  are  eminently 
sound.  They  deserve  to  be  recorded  and  preserved  In  them  is 
indicated  the  general  sentiment  of  Baptists,  a  sentiment  which 
distinguishes  the  denomination  from  all  others.  They  have  been 
rigid  in  their  adherence  to  the  great  principle,  that  a  church  of 
Christ  cannot  scripturally  exist  excepting  as  it  is  made  up  of 
baptized  believers ;  and  that  all  its  internal  affairs  are  to  be  con- 
ducted by  itself,  without  the  exercise  of  power  on  the  part  of  any 
higher  tribunal.  This  is  regarded  as  fundamental.  No  warrant 
is  found  in  the  Word  of  God  for  any  other  constitution  of  God's 
people  as  a  Christian  church.  These  views  are  introduced  by 
Mr.  Poindexter.     He  says : — 

"The  term  'a  gospel  church,'  has  been,  and  is  now,  thought 
by  many  to  be  somewhat  equivocal,  and  consequently  has  had 
different  meanings  attached  to  it,  suited  to  the  opinions,  preju- 
dices, inclinations,  and  pecuniary  interests  of  men  placing  them- 
selves at  the  head  of  different  sectaries  or  societies,  called  by  them 
gospel  churches.  But  it  is  evident  to  all  who  disinterestedly 
attend  to  the  Scripture  account  of  the  nature  of  a  gospel  church, 
that,  more  or  less,  men  who  have  assumed  to  themselves  the  pre- 
rogative of  new  modeling  the  church  of  Christ  have  not  so  much 
attended  to  the  directions  given  by  Christ  and  his  apostles  as 
they  have  to  their  own  opinions ;  and  we  are  sorry  to  say  that 
such  conduct  has  had  a  tendency  to  divide  professors  of  our  holy 
religion,  and  subject  them  to  the  opinions,  prejudices  and  views 
of  their  different  leaders.     ****** 

"  The  sense  we  give  to  the  term  church,  when  applied  to  the 
people  of  God,  is  a  company  of  men  and  women  called  out  of  the 
world :  '  Unto  the  church  of  God,  which  is  at  Corinth,  to  them 
which  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  called  to  be  saints.'  1  Co- 
rinthians, i.  2.  Clearly,  then,  a  gospel  church  must  be  holy, 
independent,  and  regular — a  visible  society  of  men  and  women. 
*   *   *    'phe  terms  of  union  or  the  door  into  the  church  is  not 


JOHN   POINDEXTER-.  S>j>l 

baptism ;  all  members  who  enter  into  a  gospel  church  must  pre- 
viously hear,  believe,  and  be  baptized.  Such  persons  may  be  re- 
ceived into  a  church  state.  To  form  a  gospel  church  there  must  be 
fellowship—a.  mutual  compact  or  agreement  voluntarily  entered 
into  by  baptized  believers.  It  is  clearly  to  be  seen  the  first 
churches  were  made  up  of  baptized  believers;  when  additions 
were  made  none  but  baptized  believers  were  admitted.  *  *  * 
Every  voluntary  agreement  between  baptized  believers  ought  to 
be  upon  the  principles  of  truth,  peace,  holiness,  and  order.  An 
assembly  who  have  thus  given  themselves  to  the  Lord  and  to  one 
another  by  the  will  of  Grod,  may  properly  be  called  a  Christian 
church,  and  while  they  walk  together  in  the  order  of  the  primi- 
tive churches  will  be,  in  the  eyes  of  beholders,  '  comely  as  Tirzah, 
and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners.'  " 

Speaking  of  discipline,  he  thus  writes :  "A  government  in  all 
societies  is  necessary,  but  more  especially  in  the  church  of  Christ. 
Notwithstanding  the  church  is  composed  of  persons  professing 
faith,  yet  none  are  exempt  from  the  imperfections  of  human  nature, 
and  have  to  lament  that  the  pollution  of  their  nature  often  indis- 
poses them  to  submission  to  the  will  of  Grod.  Discipline  then 
becomes  necessary  to  correct  the  disorders  occasioned  thereby, 
that  the  honor  of  Christ  and  his  gospel,  together  with  the  peace 
and  happiness  of  his  church,  may  be  maintained.  The  government 
of  the  churches  was  instituted  by  Jesus  Christ. 

"We  shall  not  stop  to  consider  those  who  endeavor  to  establish 
Presbyterial  government  over  the  churches.  Christ  Jesus  de- 
posited his  authority  to  administer  discipline  in  the  churches.  It 
was  not  deposited  with  the  ministiy  as  such,  because  the  Apostle 
Paul  acknowledges  Church  authority.  Christ's  words  are,  '  If  he 
shall  refuse  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church,'  etc.  *  *  *  The 
plain  meaning  of  all  the  Scriptures  is  that  the  authority  for  car- 
rying on  and  administering  discipline  is  delegated  by  Jesus  Christ 
to  his  church  as  such,  inclusively,  and  that  authority  is  not  given 
to  one  member  above  another,  and  distinct  from  the  church,  but 
to  the  whole  body,  as  every  member  thereof  may  stand  related  to 
each  other  in  each  respective  church. " 

Some  remarks  on  schism  are  worthy  to  be  recorded  in  letters 
of  gold:  "What  is  called  schism,"  he  says,  "in  a  religious  sense, 

32* 


378  JOHN   POINDEXTER. 

is  division  and  dissension,  whereby  the  hearts  of  men  are  split 
into  opposite  factions  and  interests,  so  as  to  make  a  separation 
in  the  church.  This  is  one  of  the  most  detestable  monsters  that 
ever  appeared  in  the  church  of  Christ ;  and  yet  the  schismatic  is 
often  received  with  the  greatest  applause.  The  causes  of  this 
evil  are  pride,  self-love,  jealousy,  hatred,  evil-speaking,  covetous- 
ness,  lust  for  pre-eminence,  immoderate  thirst  after  the  honors  and 
pleasures  of  this  world.  We  shall  not  stop  to  show  by  long 
argument  that  these  are  causes  of  division,  because  they  are  self- 
evident.  Pride  is  at  the  bottom ;  self  is  the  idol  to  be  honored ; 
jealousy  is  in  company  lest  others  should  be  more  honored;  then 
hatred,  malice,  envy,  and  evil-speaking  take  place,  each  endeavor- 
ing to  disgrace  the  object  in  view,  that  everything  may  contribute 
to  the  honor,  emolument,  and  pre-eminence  of  the  schismatic 
himself  The  description  is  given  by  Paul  to  Timothy :  '  Lovers 
of  their  own  selves,  boasters,  proud,  truce-breakers,  false  accusers, 
fierce^  despisers  of  those  that  are  good,  heady,  high-minded,  lovers 
of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God.'  The  Apostle  marks  with 
severity  this  character.  ''Now,  I  beseech  you  brethren,  mark 
them  which  cause  divisions  among  you  and  offences,  contrary  to 
the  doctrine    which  you  have  learned,  and  avoid  them.'  " 

Notwithstanding  he  filled  the  clerkship  of  the  county  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  and  in  this  capacity  was  prompt  and  vigilant, 
he  did  not  neglect  his  Master's  service.  To  the  close  of  life  he 
was,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  endeavoring  to  do  good  to  all 
men.  The  Goshen  Association,  of  which  he  was  a  member, 
enjoyed  the  advantage  of  his  counsel  and  influence.  For  a  series 
of  years  he  was  elected  to  preside  over  their  deliberations. 
Although  inquiries  have  been  made,  no  definite  information  has 
been  received  concerning  the  precise  time  and  circumstances  of 
his  departure  from  this  world.  His  death  took  place  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1819. 


ELISHA  PURRINGTON.  3t9 


ELISHA    PTJRRINGTOK 

Many  of  those  who  have  labored  in  Yirginia  as  the  heralas  of 
the  Cross  were  natives  of  other  States.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch,  it  is  believed,  was  born  in  Xew  England,  and  carue  to 
this  State  about  1712.  In  removing  hither,  his  principal  object 
was  to  teach  the  science  of  sacred  music.  He  succeeded  in 
obtaining  patronage  in  Louisa,  Goochland,,  and  Fluvanna  Coun- 
ties, and  having  formed  a  matrimonial  engagement  with  a  Miss 
Todd,  finally  settled  in  the  first-named  county.  Although  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  when  he  removed  to  "Virginia,  he 
was  far  from  being  zealous  in  spiritual  things.  But  a  happy 
change  took  place  in  his  religious  feelings,  which  resulted  in  the 
conviction  that  God  required  him  to  work  in  his  vineyard.  He 
began  to  exhort,  and  ultimately  to  preach  A-t  first  his  efforts 
were  very  unpromising;  many  believed  that  he  would  never  over- 
come the  obstacles  which  impeded  his  progress,  and  he  was  often, 
on  this  account,  the  subject  of  despondency.  But,  with  the  most 
indefatigable  industry,  he  applied  himself  to  study,  and  by  degrees 
acquired  an  extensive  fund  of  knowledge.  He  became  one  of  the 
most  intelhgent  preachers  of  his  day.  His  acquaintance  with  the 
Scriptures  was  deep  and  thorough. 

As  he  advanced  in  life  his  influence  increased,  not  only  among 
the  private  members  of  the  church,  but  his  brethren  in  the  ministry. 
At  Associations  and  other  meetings  he  was  frequently  consulted 
by  the  most  intelligent  in  reference  to  difficult  passages  in  the 
Word  of  God,  while  his  opinions  were  received  with  the  most 
respectful  attention.  As  a  theologian  he  deserved  respect.  His 
views  were  generally  judicious,  being  the  result  of  patient  and 
laborious  investigation.  In  the  pulpit  he  was  inclined  to  be  doc- 
trinal; but  he  did  not,  therefore,  neglect  practical  religion.  His 
Btyle  was  clear  and  forcible,  while  his  manner,  though  not  impres- 
sive, was  interesting;  he  failed  not  to  commend  himself  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God.  Mr.  Semple  refers  to  him 
as  having  possessed  "valuable  gifts  which  were  exercised  in  a 
useful  way." 


380  EIISHA  PURRINGTON, 

Sucli  was  the  favor  with  which  his  ministry  was  received,  that 
the  old  and  intelligent  church  in  Goochland,  called  Williams,  gave 
him  a  unanimous  call  to  become  their  pastor.  They  had  pre- 
viously enjoyed  the  labors  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  men  of 
that  day;  and  it  was  a  flattering  indication  to  request  him  to 
engage  in  this  labor.  Their  invitation  was  accepted.  He  en- 
tered upon  his  work  with  the  most  praiseworthy  zeal.  As  a 
pastor,  he  was  much  beloved.  The  influence  gained  over  the 
hearts  of  his  flock  was  not  altogether  the  result  of  intelligence  in 
the  pulpit,  but  of  frequent  and  affectionate  intercourse.  There 
was  a  softness  and  ease  in  his  manners  which  were  the  spontaneous 
product  of  a  benevolent  heart.  If  a  spiritual  guide  would  obtain 
the  confidence  of  those  placed  under  his  care,  he  must  give  frequent 
and  indubitable  proofs  of  his  affection.  It  must  be  seen  that  he 
seeks  not  his  own,  but  their  interest,  and  thus,  like  the  apostle, 
very  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for  them ;  though  the  more  he 
loves,  the  less  he  might  be  loved.  He  must  be  gentle  among 
them,  even  as  a  nurse  cherisheth  her  children.  Mr.  Purrington 
was  such  a  man.  He  loved  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  ex- 
hibited that  attachment  in  his  whole  deportment.  This  consti- 
tuted one  of  the  elements  of  his  great  influence  among  the  churches. 
Another  reason  to  be  assigned  for  the  esteem  in  which  he  was 
held  was  the  uniformity  of  his  Christian  character.  His  piety 
was  fervent  and  habitual ;  eternal  realities  engaged  his  supreme 
attention.  He  acted  in  accordance  with  the  great  object  of  his 
creation,  and  sought  to  glorify  God  in  his  body  and  spirit  which 
were  his. 

Such  a  man  could  not  but  be  loved.  It  need  not  be  a  subject 
of  surprise  that  he  was  useful.  Many  accessions  to  the  churches 
were  made  during  his  pastorate,  but  especially  in  the  edification 
of  the  pious  was  his  usefulness  manifest.  Mr.  Purrington  excelled 
in  his  knowledge  of  the  science  of  music ;  it  has  been  already 
stated  that  he  originally  came  to  Virginia  as  an  instructor  in  the 
art  of  singing.  He  continued  to  employ  his  talent  in  this  way 
for  many  years.  It  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  said  that  he  was  not 
thought  to  be  a  good  financier,  having  been  frequently  embarrassed 
in  his  worldly  concerns. 


SAMUEL  WOODFIN.  381 

The  death  of  this  good  man  occurred  about  the  year  1820. 
As  the  circumstances  of  his  last  hours  are  not  known  to  the 
biographer,  this  memoir  must  necessarily  be  brought  to  a 
close. 


SAMUEL  WOODFIK 

Elder  Woodfin  was  a  native  of  Yirginia,  and  born  September 
21st,  1'722.  He  was  among  those  whose  lot  it  was  to  stem  the 
tide  of  prejudice  and  opposition  which  resisted  the  Baptists  in 
their  early  history  in  Yirginia.  He  was  a  zealous  laborer  in  his 
Master's  vineyard,  and  not  until  within  a  short  time  previous  to 
his  death,  when  age  and  infirmity  compelled  him,  did  he  abandon 
the  work.  He  was  a  man  of  industrious  habits,  diligent  in  business, 
fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  Not  only  in  the  gospel  of 
His  Son  did  he  endeavor  to  please  God,  but  by  rigid  faithfulness 
in  fulfilling  his  worldly  engagements ;  evincing  to  all  around  a 
tenacious  adherence  to  the  principles  of  justice  and  integrity.  In 
his  declining  years  he  took  great  pleasure  in  retrospecting  scenes 
of  former  days,  and  recounting  the  labors  of  his  yet  unwearied 
feet  when  he  first  entered  the  ministry.  He  would  refer  to  those 
times  when,  after  working  with  his  own  hands  at  the  anvil  during 
the  wepk,  at  the  close  his  journey  was  commenced,  often  on  foot, 
to  meet  a  congregation  ten  or  fifteen  miles  distant  from  his  home  ; 
while  his  customers  would  find  him  at  his  shop  early  on  Monday 
morning.  As  long  as  he  continued  to  preach,  he  was  remarkably 
punctual  in  attending  his  appointments,  allowing  no  weather, 
however  inclement,  nor  any  trivial  circumstance,  to  prevent  his 
presence  where  it  was  expected. 

As  a  preacher.  Elder  "Woodfin  was  plain,  experimental,  and 
practical.  Like  most  of  his  contemporaries,  he  indicated  the 
want  of  early  literary  advantages.  His  system  of  divinity  was  in 
accordance  with  the  generally  received  views  of  the  Baptist  deno- 
mination. As  a  pastor,  he  was  affectionate  and  attentive,  and  by 
the  people  of  his  charge  was  much  beloved.  He  accepted  the 
pastoral  vocation  in  Muddy  Creek  Church,  Powhatan,  in  1784, 


382  JOSEPH   PEDIGO. 

and  retained  this  connection  up  to  the  period  of  his  death.     He 
died  in  peace,  January  13th,  1832. 

If  Father  Woodfin  had  foibles,  they  were  perhaps  more  con- 
spicuous to  himself  than  others,  yet  he  had  enemies  disposed  to 
magnify  them.  We  would,  however,  entomb  them  with  his  mortal 
remains,  in  the  silent  grave,  whence,  we  confidently  hope,  he  will 
in  the  morning  of  the  resurrection  arise,  clothed  in  the  righteous- 
ness of  Jesus,  and  appear  in  the  presence  of  God  without  spot  or 
wrinkle,  to  dwell  with  him  forever. 


JOSEPH    PEDIGO. 


Elder  Joseph  Pedigo  closed  his  earthly  labors  some  time  in 
the  year  1837,  being  more  than  threescore  years  of  age,  and 
having  been  long  employed  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  He 
was  a  resident  of  Henry  County,  and  was  for  many  years  an 
active  member  of  the  Strawberry  Association,  generally  occu- 
pying the  chair  at  their  annual  meetings.  When  the  Pig  River 
Association  was  formed,  in  1824  or  1825,  the  church  of  which  he 
was  a  member  became  connected  with  that  body.  In  the  new 
Association  he  exercised  considerable  influence,  and  to  the  time 
of  his  deatli  was  their  Moderator. 

At  different  times  during  his  ministerial  career  he  served 
several  churches,  and  was  instrumental  in  promoting  their  increase 
and  edification.  As  a  preacher  he  was  highly  regarded  by  his 
brethren,  being  distinguished  by  a  plain,  affectionate  manner  in 
his  addresses  from  the  pulpit.  His  information  was  very  limited, 
having  enjoyed  no  opportunity  in  youth  for  the  improvement  of 
his  mind.  During  most  of  his  ministerial  life  he  was  able  to 
employ  but  little  time  in  reading,  being  quite  poor,  and  compelled 
to  labor  for  the  support  of  his  family.  His  preaching  was  not 
strictly  of  the  expository  character,  while  at  the  same  time,  to  the 
utmost  of  his  ability,  he  delighted  to  recommend  the  offices  and 
work  of  the  Saviour  of  sinners.  With  a  character  highly  exem- 
plary, by  all  classes  he  was  much  esteemed. 


JOSEPH  PEDIGO.  383 

Elder  Pedigo  was  opposed  to  all  the  efforts  which  are  now 
employed  to  send  the  gospel  among  the  heathen,  as  well  as 
Sunday-schools,  tract  operations,  etc.  etc.  But  the  writer  of  this 
sketch  is  confident  that  this  prejudice  was  the  result  of  circum- 
stances. If  he  had  lived  in  other  sections  of  the  State,  where 
he  might  have  mingled  with  brethren  engaged  in  these  exertions, 
and  where  he  would  not  have  received  inaccurate  statements  con- 
cerning their  designs  and  consequences,  his  opinions  would  have 
been  of  a  different  stamp.  During  the  year  1836  the  writer  had 
an  opportunity  of  spending  a  night  under  his  humble  but  hos- 
pitable roof.  In  riding  to  his  door,  the  inquiry,  with  some  cool- 
ness, was  made,  whether  or  not  he  was  addressing  a  "Missionary 
Baptist."  The  answer  was,  that  it  afforded  peculiar  delight  to 
see  the  gospel  published  to  sinners  everywhere,  and  that  no 
appropriate  means  ought  to  be  neglected  to  send  it  to  every  crea- 
ture. An  invitation  was  extended  to  tarry  for  the  night.  After 
some  general  remarks,  a  most  interesting  conversation  occurred 
on  doctrinal  and  experimental  religion,  while  the  aged  brother 
seemed  astonished  that  a  "Missionary  Baptist"  should  be  so  far 
from  the  indulgence  of  Arminian  sentiments.  After  some  time, 
the  conversation  was  directed  to  the  benevolent  movements  of  the 
day,  and  it  was  quite  astonishing  to  the  writer  that  so  little  cor- 
rect information  respecting  these  things  had  been  obtained  by  him 
whom  he  addressed.  He  had  entirely  misapprehended  their  whole 
character  and  tendency.  In  the  morning,  on  separating,  with  the 
kindest  and  most  affectionate  manner  Elder  Pedigo  extended  an 
invitation  to  visit  him  again.  It  was  a  delightful  interview,  and 
on  leaving  the  spot,  the  impression  was  forcibly  made  upon  the 
mind  that  acquaintance  and  free  interchange  of  sentiment,  with 
mutual  forbearance,  would  do  more  toward  the  production  of 
unity  of  sentiment  and  action  among  brethren,  than  all  the  acri- 
monious debates  or  even  well  written  and  dispassionate  essays 
,;ould  accomplish. 


384  BENJAMIN  HARDWICK. 


BENJAMIN    HARDWICK.* 

God  often  moves  in  a  mysterious  way  to  accomplish  Ms  wise 
designs.  He  changes  the  purposes  of  men  by  the  interposition 
of  his  providence.  This  assertion  is  proved  by  the  life  of  Mr. 
Hardwick.  He  was  born  during  the  memorable  revolutionary  war. 
His  parents  were  poor  and  illiterate.  He  was  brought  up  in  the 
field  to  hard  manual  labor,  and  experienced  many  of  the  hard- 
ships to  which  motherless  boys  are  subjected  when  under  the  con- 
trol of  stepmothers  whose  only  ambition  is  to  rule  father  and 
children  with  an  iron  rod.  'No  pen  can  describe  what  such  chil- 
dren have  felt  and  endured.  Benjamin  was  industrious.  His 
father  taught  him  to  regard  labor  as  the  essence  of  human  excel- 
lence. He  ignored  the  claims  of  his  children  to  mental  culture ; 
and  while  others  enjoyed  the  rude  advantages  afforded  by  a 
sparsely  settled  country,  his  sons  were  toiling  to  increase  his 
wealth. 

Benjamin  was  anxious  to  be  wealthy.  He  spent  many  hours  of 
night  in  working  for  a  few  pence,  which  he  was  careful  to  retain. 
In  early  life  he  married  a  young  and  beautiful  lady,  Elizabeth 
Flowers,  of  Buckingham  County.  ISTot  content  with  the  slow, 
but  sure  and  truest,  process  of  accumulating  by  labor,  Mr.  Hard- 
wick commenced  speculating,  and  then  sporting.  The  fame  of 
his  race-horses  went  out  into  distant  parts  of  the  State,  and  his 
companions  envied  his  success.  God  apparently  smiled  upon  him. 
Money  flowed  into  his  hands :  he  was  soon  surrounded  by  the 
comforts  of  life;  a  splendid  farm,  on  Slate  Run,  with  hands  and 
stock,  were  the  fruits  of  his  accumulations.  His  family  was  large 
and  growing. 

God  called  him  to  reflect,  repent,  and  believe  the  truth.  The 
call  was  not  disregarded.  The  truth,  mighty  to  conquer,  grap- 
pled with  the  strong  powers  of  his  soul,  and  they  were  conquered, 

*  Prepared  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Hardwick. 


BENJAMIN  HARDWICK.  385 

The  Spirit,  ever  potent  to  renew,  changed  his  vile  nature,  and  so 

felt oh  indescribable  emotions  ! — that  Christ  was  formed  in  his 

soul  the  hope  of  glory !  God  had  a  work  for  him.  He  had  been 
faithful  to  the  wicked  one,  and  felt  the  importance  of  more  than 
ordinary  faithfulness  to  God.  He  was  called  in  mid-life  to  preach. 
What  was  he  to  do  ?  The  groans  of  a  lost  world,  the  sighs  of 
degraded  and  wounded  humanity,  were  continually  sounding  in 
his  ears.  His  early  education  had  been  totally  neglected.  Un- 
able to  read  the  Bible,  inspired  with  a  high  sense  of  duty,  he 
essayed  to  exhort  his  fellow-men,  and  then,  assisted  by  the  Spirit, 
to  teach  them  what  he  had  learned  a,nd  felt. 

He  felt  that  he  was  not  his  own.  Christ  had  redeemed  him,  and 
he  belonged  to  him.  Some  would  have  plead  a  want  of  fitness 
for  the  work,  and  dragged  out  a  dissatisfied  life  in  some  secular 
calling.  The  claims  of  his  Master  were  imperative.  To  preach, 
he  must  consecrate  himself  to  the  work.  His  children  were  at 
school ;  blessed  with  vigorous  minds,  they  progressed  with  great 
rapidity.  Judge  what  their  surprise  was  when  their  father  accom- 
panied them  daily  to  school,  and  commenced  learning  the  nature 
and  power  of  letters.  We  have  no  means  now  of  ascertaining 
how  long  he  was  at  school,  but  he  learned  enough  of  the  English 
language  to  read  the  blessed  Bible,  and  teach  the  people  its 
blessed  precepts.  Blessed  with  extensive  means,  he  preached 
often,  and  invariably  at  his  own  charges.  Think  of  it,  young 
man,  as  you  repose  beneath  the  towers  of  Zion,  and  enjoy  the 
advantages  that  the  best  schools  afford  for  mental  improvement, 
that  for  much  of  our  present  denominational  felicity  we  are  in- 
debted to  men  whose  manners  and  sermons  would  now  be  con- 
sidered by  some  intolerable.  The  father  at  school  with  his  own 
sons  !  What  but  the  love  of  Christ  constrained  him  ?  We  leave 
this  picture,  that  has  encouraged  one  mind,  if  no  more,  to  seek 
that  information  essential  to  success  in  teaching  men  what  Christ 
has  commanded. 

God  never  fails  to  reward  men  for  their  deeds.  He  that  is 
swift  to  gather  up  may  expect  to  have  it  scattered,  either  by  him- 
self or  others.  Much  of  Mr.  H.'s  property  was  obtained  by 
sporting,  and  God  no  doubt  placed  a  curse  upon  such  gains.    The 

VOL.  I. — z  33 


386  BENJAMIN   HAEDWICK. 

war  of  1812  found  him  independent.  It  was  followed  by  an  un- 
paralleled demand  for  tobacco :  he  speculated  largely,  with  his 
sons.  The  article  suddenly  fell  to  a  low  price,  and  he  was  pecu- 
niarily ruined.  ISTow  an  old  man,  with  a  large  number  of  chil- 
dren, he  is  thrown  again  upon  his  own  resources  for  a  support. 
He  emigrated  to  Tennessee,  and  settled  in  Smith  County.  He 
did  not  complain.     God  had  ordered  all  things  right. 

He  was  a  preacher  of  good  natural  abilities.  His  manner  was 
earnest,  pathetic,  and  solemn.  Some  of  the  living  fathers  of  the 
State  still  remember  him.  Many  precious  souls  claimed  him  as 
the  chosen  instrument  of  their  conversion.  He  would  never  take 
the  care  of  a  church.  He  thought  Grod  never  called  him  to  be  a 
pastor,  but  a  preacher.  How  great  his  awe  must  have  been  for 
that  office  !  While  others  would  have  rushed  into  it,  he  hesitated 
and  declined;  preferring  others,  and  esteeming  them  better  than 
himself.  If  an  old  preacher,  half  a  century  ago,  shrunk  from  so  re- 
sponsible a  station,  with  what  feelings  ought  men  now  to  revere 
it !  Mr.  Hardwick  lived  to  see  Baptist  churches  increase  and  mul- 
tiply with  great  rapidity.  His  children  all  grew  up,  and  the 
most  of  them  became  members  of  the  church  he  loved  so  well. 
Several  of  them  were  distinguished  as  political  and  professional 
men.  His  youngest  son  is  now  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  two 
of  his  grandsons — the  children  of  his  son  Samuel — are  ministers 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Virginia. 

Full  of  years,  rich  in  faith,  far  from  the  scenes  of  his  early  and 
eventful  life,  he  went  down  to  the  grave.  If  he  was  poor  in  this 
world's  goods,  he  was  rich  in  that  love  that  is  worth  more  than 
the  universe !  His  Saviour  had  taken  away  his  gold,  that  cank- 
ered, and  rendered  the  heart  morbid  and  avaricious,  and  given 
him  gold  tried  in  the  fire.  He  found  a  sepulchre  among  strangers, 
and  now  rests  near  Charlotte,  the  county-seat  of  Dickson,  Tennes- 
see. His  grave  has  passed  into  other  hands,  but  his  freed  spirit 
has  entered  the  heavenly  rest,  1835;  whither  his  wife  and  many 
of  his  children  have  gone. 

"Part  of  the  host  have  crossed  the  flood, 
And  part  are  crossing  now !" 


SAMUEL  HILTON.  38Y 


SAMUEL  HILTOK 

Elder  Hilton  lived  and  died  in  Scott  County,  Yirginia.  He 
possessed  a  vigorous  intellect,  and  although  the  stores  of  learning 
were  not  placed  within  his  reach,  this  deficiency  was  in  some  mea- 
sure supplied  by  the  habit  of  close  thinking  and  the  thorough 
investigation  of  those  subjects  upon  which  he  brought  his  mind  to 
bear.  In  the  early  history  of  Virginia  Baptists  he  entered  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation,  having  himself  felt  the  power  of  the 
gospel  in  his  own  salvation.  He  continued,  until  within  a  few 
years  back,  a  faithful,  laborious  laborer  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 
He  was  highly  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  classes,  and  was  emi- 
nently useful  in  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel. 


JOHN  JENKINS. 

John  Jenkins  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  ministers  of 
the  Roanoke  Association.  He  was  born  December  25th,  1T58, 
in  the  County  of  Loudon,  of  indigent  and  irreligious  parents. 
Prom  statements  furnished  by  himself,  it  is  ascertained  that  little 
or  no  attention  was  paid  to  his  morals  in  early  life,  being  allowed 
to  indulge  himself  in  a  course  of  folly  from  childhood  until  he  was 
grown.  He  is  reported  to  have  said  that  the  most  laborious  days 
he  ever  spent  were  Sundays  occupied  in  a  species  of  gambling. 
During  the  revolutionary  war,  having  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Pittsylvania,  he  was  employed  as  commissary  by  the  United 
States,  and  in  this  capacity  passed  through  some  of  the  upper 
counties  of  the  State.  Shortly  after  he  left  this  occupation  he 
returned  to  his  native  county,  and  engaged  himself  in  conducting 
a  common  school.  There,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Jere- 
miah Moore,  he  became  a  follower  of  Christ.     He  was  baptized 


388  JOHN   JENKINS. 

by  Elder  Moore  in  1792.  Thougli  his  whole  life  had  been  pecu- 
liar for  neglect  of  eternal  things,  and,  indeed,  for  its  vlciousness,  it 
was  the  Divine  pleasure  to  pluck  him  as  a  brand  from  the  burn- 
ing. The  grace  of  God  can  triumph  over  depravity  of  heart  and 
licentiousness  of  life ;  that  where  sin  abounds  grace  may  much 
more  abound. 

On  his  removal  to  Pittsylvania  he  became  a  member  of  Allen's 
Creek  Church.  Here  he  commenced  the  ministry.  His  ordina- 
tion took  place  in  the  year  1796.  It  was  then  thought  by  his 
brethren  that  he  possessed  but  little  talent  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  But  in  this  they  were  mistaken.  The  beauty  of  the 
marble  may  be  concealed,  as  it  is  taken  rude  and  unpolished  from 
the  quarry ;  so  intellectual  power  may  remain  undiscovered  until, 
by  peculiar  circumstances,  it  is  called  into  exercise.  Thus  an  im- 
pulse, produced  by  a  solemn  sense  of  the  importance  of  his  new 
vocation,  was  given  to  his  habits  of  study  and  reflection,  and  a 
perceptible  change  was  wrought  in  his  whole  intellectual  character. 
Having  engaged  in  the  solemn  work  of  teaching  others  the  truths 
of  the  Bible,  he  began  to  apply  himself  diligently  to  study.  He 
obtained  a  very  considerable  acquaintance  with  the  Latin,  Greek, 
and  Hebrew  languages.  His  knowledge  of  history  became  en- 
larged and  accurate.  Few  were  more  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  geography  of  the  earth.  It  is  said  that,  being  unable  to  pur- 
chase globes,  he  prepared  a  pair  for  his  own  use,  which  were  well 
executed.  jS'or  did  he  satisfy  himself  with  a  knowledge  of  the 
languages,  or  of  men  and  things  generally.  He  was  a  close  stu- 
dent of  the  Word  of  God.  At  all  times  he  seemed  unwilling  to 
appear  as  the  spiritual  instructor  of  others  without  aiming  to  be- 
come thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  truth.  His  attainments  in 
learning  would  have  been  creditable  under  the  most  favorable 
circumstances ;  but,  when  it  is  known  that  throughout  life  he  was 
compelled  to  struggle  with  poverty,  his  proficiency  may  well  excite 
astonishment.  His  example,  in  this  respect,  deserves  universal 
imitation.  No  man  should  begin  to  preach  the  gospel  who  is  not 
willing  to  become  studious,  that  he  may  be  a  workman,  needing 
not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth. 

His  preaching  talents,  after  a  few  years'  exercise,  were  of  a  high 
order.     He  possessed  agreeable,  animated,  and  impressive  man- 


JOHN  JENKINS.  389 

ners,  with  a  strong  and  well-toned  voice.  Notwithstanding  a  de- 
formity under  which  he  labored, — a  stiifness  in  his  eyelids,  which 
prevented  him  from  raising  them,  and  rendered  it  necessary,  when 
he  would  look  before  him,  to  throw  his  head  very  much  back  and 
apply  his  hand  to  the  forehead  to  draw  up  the  lids, — his  appear- 
ance, after  he  commenced  preaching,  was  prepossessing. 

His  discourses  were  highly  argumentative,  interspersed  with 
frequent  and  apposite  illustrations  from  history  and  from  the 
Word  of  God,  and  enforced  by  appeals  of  the  most  powerful  elo- 
quence. His  style  was  chaste  and  perspicuous,  sometimes  highly 
ornamented  by  the  most  lively  and  beautiful  figures.  An  anec- 
dote is  related,  which  may  serve  to  show  the  power  of  his  elo- 
quence. A  lawyer  of  some  eminence,  on  his  way  to  an  adjoining 
county,  passed  on  Sabbath  one  of  his  meetings,  and  concluded  to 
stay  during  preaching.  He  knew  nothing  of  Jenkins,  but  went 
in  and  listened  to  the  sermon.  Upon  returning  to  his  residence, 
in  relating  the  circumstance  to  his  friends,  he  stated  that  he  had 
heard  one  of  the  most  powerful  bursts  of  eloquence  to  which  he 
had  ever  listened ;  that  the  preacher,  as  it  were,  suspended  him 
over  the  burning  pit,  and  that,  so  horrific  was  the  representation, 
that  his  very  hair  stood  on  end. 

In  the  year  1806  he  published  a  discourse  of  sixty  pages,  on 
the  Final  Perseverance  of  the  Saints.  In  this  work  considerable 
talent  is  discovered.  He  writes  like  a  man  who  feels  conscious  of 
being  panoplied  in  the  armor  of  truth.  Referring  to  the  objec- 
tion that  many  professors  of  religion  who  appeared  well  do  fall 
away,  he  says :  "It  cannot  be  proven  that  such  shining  professors 
were  ever  real  saints ;  many  will  run  well  for  a  time,  but  in  the 
season  of  trial  will  fall  away,  not  from  saving  grace,  but /or  want 
of  it.  The  foolish  virgins  had  lamps,  but  no  oil;  had  a  profession, 
but  no  grace.  The  stony  ground  hearers  received  the  word  with 
joy,  but  afterwards  withered,  for  want  of  the  moisture  of  grace. 
Many  in  our  world  make  a  great  parade  in  religion,  pretend  to 
great  attainments ;  but  all  is  not  gold  that  glitters.  The  only 
proof  of  sincerity  in  religion  is  a  steady  perseverance  in  it.  Not 
he  that  endures  for  a  time,  but  he  that  endures  to  the  end,  shall 
be  saved.  Many  take  law  terrors  for  gospel  grace.  They  are 
alarmed  by  the  threatenings  of  the  law,  and  affrighted  by  the 

38* 


390  JOHN   JENKINS. 

horrors  of  a  guilty  conscience ;  are  shaken  as  it  were  over  hell, 
and  made  to  cry  out,  '  Lord,  save,  or  I  perish.'  In  the  bitterness 
and  anguish  of  their  souls  they  will  promise  to  obey  God,  yea, 
they  will  agree  to  any  terms,  agree  to  any  conditions,  rather  than 
go  to  hell.  A  soul  in  this  situation,  not  dead  to  the  law,  will 
hold  on  to  anything  from  which  they  may  hope  for  relief.  Satan 
may  persuade  them  that  Christ  has  heard  their  prayer,  that 
he  will  certainly  save  them,  if  they  will  only  serve  him.  Their 
fancy  may  suggest  that  Christ  has  saved  them  on  these  conditions. 
Unskillful  physicians,  or  legal  preachers,  will  not  fail  to  heal  the 
wound  slightly,  crying  peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace. 
Such  souls  may  be  wretchedly  deceived.  They  may  go  on  with 
great  zeal  for  a  time,  and  finally  fall  away. "  In  1821  he  commenced  a 
monthly  periodical,  styled  the  Roanoke  Religious  Correspondent. 
This  was  continued  for  two  years,  and  was  conducted  with  much 
judgment.  So  far  as  it  was  circulated  it  was  productive  of  good, 
but  the  patronage  was  not  sufficient  to  warrant  its  publication 
after  the  second  year. 

Another  work  of  considerable  merit,  on  the  subject  of  baptism, 
was  published  in  the  year  1827.  This  treatise  exhibits  an  enlarged 
knowledge  of  ecclesiastical  history,  and  a  spirit  becoming  the 
candid  controversialist.  He  was  also  frequently  called  upon  by 
the  Roanoke  Association  to  prepare  their  circular  letters,  several 
of  which  are  valuable  and  reflect  credit  on  their  author. 

The  piety  of  Elder  Jenkins  was  of  an  ardent  and  elevated  cha- 
racter. Although,  by  a  boarding-school,  which  at  different  times 
he  conducted;  and  which  he  was  urged  to  continue,  he  might  have 
realized  a  handsome  sum,  he  chose  rather  to  devote  himself  chiefly 
to  the  ministry.  Wherever  he  went  his  good  works  were  seen 
adorning  the  doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour.  In  his  journeys  he 
rarely  tarried  a  night  with  a  family  without  engaging  in  some- 
thing more  than  the  ordinary  exercises  of  family  worship.  When- 
ever it  was  known  that  he  had  reached  a  neighborhood,  the  people, 
without  invitation,  would  collect,  and  the  evening  be  spent  by  him 
in  religious  services.  In  his  more  private  intercourse  with  his 
fellow-men  there  was  a  dignity,  united  with  tenderness,  becoming 
his  ministerial  character.  One  of  the  most  intelligent  ministers 
of  Virginia,  now  living,  states  that  his  mother,  in  very  early  life, 


JOHN  JENIQNS.  391 

was  induced  seriously  to  consider  her  latter  end,  by  a  simple  ques- 
tion, which  he  proposed  to  her  on  entering  the  dwelling  of  her 
father.  With  an  inexpressively  benign  and  solemn  countenance 
he  asked,  "Does  Christ  dwell  here?"  It  resulted  in  her  conver- 
sion to  God. 

He  was  a  man  of  much  prayer.  This  was  one  of  the  secret 
causes  of  his  influence  as  a  minister.  He  communed  much  with 
God,  and  imbibing  His  spirit,  went  forth  prepared  to  do  good  to 
all  with  whom  he  mingled.  He  continually  indicated  a  quenchless 
desire  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  churches,  and  the  good  of 
his  fellow-men.  The  following  extract  from  his  pen  will  show 
something  of  the  state  of  his  mind  on  these  subjects :  "While  we 
are  often  hearing  of  the  triumphs  of  the  cross  in  foreign  coun- 
tries ;  while  our  ears  are  cheered  with  the  animating  news  that 
the  gracious  work  is  spreading  in  every  direction  in  our  highly- 
favored  country;  while  thousands  of  heaven-born  souls  are  daily 
emerging  from  darkness  into  the  marvelous  light  of  the  gospel, 
mingling  their  prayers  with  the  elder  saints,  and  uniting  their 
voices  in  lofty  songs  to  God  and  the  Lamb, — we  remain  still  and 
inactive ;  our  harps  are  hung  upon  the  willows,  and  we  pass  it  off 
by  faintly  saying,  'we  wish  we  could  see  a  revival  among  our- 
selves.' But  why  is  it  thus  with  us  ?  Is  the  Lord's  ear  heavy, 
that  he  cannot  hear  ?  or  is  his  arm  shortened,  that  he  cannot  save  ? 
Not  so  ;  we  must  look  for  the  cause  at  home.  Let  every  preacher, 
every  deacon,  and  every  private  member  of  the  church  examine 
himself  strictly,  as  in  the  presence  of  the  living  God,  and  if  he 
finds  that  he  has  been  remiss,  or  negligent  in  any  Christian  duty, 
let  him  repent,  return,  and  do  his  first  works ;  let  every  church  be 
stirred  up  to  use  all  diligence  in  all  the  duties  of  her  charge.  In 
short,  a  reformation  must  first  begin  among  professors,  before  we 
can  expect  to  see  it  among  the  unconverted." 

The  labors  of  this  man  of  God  were  extensively  blest.  Several 
churches,  through  his  instrumentality,  were  commenced  and  built 
up.  To  one  of  his  churches,  during  the  years  1801  and  1802,  two 
hundred  and  fifty  persons  were  added  under  his  ministry.  Other 
extensive  revivals  were  realized  at  different  times  through  his 
labors. 

He  reached  an  advanced  age.     Toward  the  close  of  life  his 


892  EDMUND  JOHNS. 

influence  and  usefulness  were  somewhat  diminislied.  Those,  how- 
ever, who  knew  him  best,  and  who  were  with  him  in  his  last  days, 
still  witnessed  the  evidences  of  devotion  to  the  Master  whom  it 
was  his  delight,  for  a  succession  of  years,  to  honor  and  obey.  He 
was  for  some  time  confined  by  sickness  before  his  departure.  In 
the  expectation  of  death  he  was  almost  constantly  in  a  rapturous 
state  of  mind,  and,  on  the  24th  of  January,  1824,  he  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus. 


EDMUND  JOHNS. 

Elder  Edmund  Johns  was  born  in  1766,  but  in  what  portion 
of  Virginia  is  not  known.  His  junior  years  were  spent  in  devo- 
tion to  the  god  of  this  world;  nor  was  he  led  to  the  contempla- 
tion of  his  guilt  and  ruin,  as  a  transgressor  of  the  Divine  law, 
until  he  had  reached  his  thirtieth  year.  About  1796,  his  mind 
became  seriously  impressed  with  the  worth  of  eternal  things ;  and, 
guided  by  the  spirit  of  truth,  he  was  induced  to  rejoice  in  the 
atoning  righteousness  of  Christ. 

Soon  after  his  conversion,  such  was  his  conviction  of  duty  in 
reference  to  the  ministry,  that  he  began  to  warn  his  fellow-men, 
and  to  beseech  them  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come.  As  he  continued 
to  exercise  his  talents,  his  brethren  encouraged  him  to  persevere, 
and  after  sufficient  trial  he  was  regularly  ordained. 

His  ministrations  were  mostly  confined  to  the  County  of  Camp- 
bell, where  he  spent  most  of  his  days.  From  his  own  vicinity  he 
scarcely  ever  traveled,  and  was,  therefore,  not  very  extensively 
known  throughout  the  State.  But  his  own  vineyard  he  cultivated 
industriously,  and  was  not  without  evidences  of  usefulness.  By  re- 
ference to  Semple's  History,  the  churches  he  served  are  known  by 
the  names  of  Ebenezer  and  New  Chapel. 

It  was  hoped  by  the  author  that  some  more  particular  infor- 
mation would  have  been  received  respecting  Elder  Johns ;  but  in 
this  he  has  been  disappointed.  Nothing  is  known  respecting  the 
circumstances  of  his  death  excepting  that  it  occurred  on  the  29th 
of  December,  1836. 


EDMUND  JOHNS.  393 

One  who  was  well  acquainted  with  him  thus  refers  to  his  cha- 
racter :  "  This  venerable  man  needs  no  eulogy  from  the  pen  of 
friendship.  His  praise  is  in  the  churches.  His  record  is  on  high. 
His  goodness  has  erected  a  monument  in  the  hearts  of  all  who 
were  acquainted  with  him.  The  writer  of  this  has  often  heard 
him  deplore  the  time  and  talents  which  he  so  long  prostituted  to 
the  service  of  the  world)  the  flesh,  and  Satan;  and  adore  the 
riches  of  that  grace  which  opened  his  eyes,  and  turned  him  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God. 

Being  a  man  of  ardent  temperament,  what  his  hand  found  to 
do  he  did  with  his  might.  While  he  was  not  slothful  in  business, 
he  was  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  Having  felt  the  bitter- 
ness of  sin,  and  tasted  that  the  Lord  was  gracious,  his  heart  was 
filled  with  compassion  for  his  blinded  and  dying  fellow-men,  and 
he  could  not  refrain  from  calling  upon  them  to  taste  and  see  that 
the  Lord  is  good.  Forty  years  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  the 
ministry ;  during  which  time  he  studied  to  show  himself  approved 
unto  God,  a  workman  that  needed  not  to  be  ashamed.  He  was  a 
man  of  sound  speech  that  could  not  be  condemned.  His  life  was 
a  beautiful  commentary  upon  the  religion  he  professed.  He  was 
greatly  beloved  by  the  household  of  faith,  and  had  a  good  report 
of  them  that  were  without.  As  a  husband,  a  father,  a  master, 
and  a  citizen,  he  was  not  only  free  from  reproach,  but  truly  ex- 
emplary. In  short,  he  lived  the  life  and  died  the  death  of  the 
righteous.  His  path  was  indeed  the  path  of  the  just,  widening 
and  brightening  to  the  perfect  day.  As  his  outward  man 
perished,  his  inward  man  was  renewed  day  by  day.  He  spoke 
of  his  departure  with  composure  and  delight,  conversed  freely 
and  affectionately  with  his  family  and  friends,  and  requested  the 
venerable  partner  of  his  joys  and  sorrows  to  resign  him  cheer- 
fully, as  he  was  ready  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 


394  JAMES  ELLISON. 


JAMES    ELLISOK 


The  father  of  James  Ellison  was  originally  from  the  State  of 
New  Jersey.  Having  removed  to  Virginia,  and  married,  he 
settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  State.  James  was  the  eldest 
son,  and  was  born  in  Farley's  Fort,  New  River,  April  29th,  11*78. 
Not  long  after  his  birth,  his  parents  became  the  subjects  of  re- 
ligious concern,  and  united  with  the  Baptist  church.  They  were 
poor,  and  unable  to  educate  their  children.  In  his  eighteenth 
year,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss  Mary  Calloway,  a 
person  who  was  near  his  own  age  and  circumstances  in  life. 
About  a  year  after  this  connection  was  formed,  he  was  the  subject 
of  great  alarm  on  account  of  his  sins.  He  saw  himself  exposed 
to  ruin,  and  determined  to  reform  his  life.  For  several  months 
he  was  a  most  rigid  formalist,  maintaining  family  worship,  and  re- 
gularly attending  the  house  of  God.  But  he  again  relapsed  and 
became  more  wicked  than  before.  To  all  human  appearance  he 
was  likely  not  only  to  neglect  his  soul's  interest,  but  to  become  a 
reckless  opposer  of  the  truth.  But  the  omnipotence  of  Divine 
grace  was  displayed  in  yjlucking  this  brand  from  the  burning :  a 
conversation  between  his  father  and  a  minister  of  the  gospel  was 
made  the  means  of  again  arresting  his  attention.  Many  efforts 
were  made  to  banish  serious  impressions  from  the  mind,  but  all  in 
vain.  Wherever  he  went  he  felt  himself  to  be  a  miserable  man, 
and  what  seemed  most  to  increase  the  anguish  of  his  heart  was 
the  recollection  of  previous  failures.  The  wrath  to  come  was  felt 
to  be  justly  deserved,  and  being  ignorant  of  the  righteousness  of 
God,  the  most  fearfully  conflicting  emotions  were  experienced. 
In  such  a  state  of  mind,  how  cheering  are  the  invitations  of  the 
gospel !  These  furnish  hope  to  the  most  wretched  and  guilty. 
In  these  he  found  relief.  He  joined  the  Indian  Creek  Baptist 
Church  in  1800. 

He  was  soon  discovered  to  possess  talents  which  might  be  use- 
ful, and  was  frequently  invited  to  conduct  social  meetings.  For 
three  years  he  embraced  every  opportunity  of  exhorting  those 
around  him  to  prepare  for  death.     At  length,  he  was  licenced  to 


JAMES  ELLISON.  395 

preach.  Considerable  portions  of  time  were  now  employed  in 
study,  and  a  prevailing  thirst  for  improvement  was  evinced; 
every  leisure  moment  being  husbanded  with  the  utmost  care. 
Several  valuable  books  were  presented  by  friends,  and  perused 
with  great  interest ;  but  the  Bible  was  the  volume  he  was  chiefly 
accustomed  to  study,  and  from  this  uncorrupted  fountain  he 
drank  largely  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Elder  Ellison  was  not  ordained  until  1808,  being  then  about 
thirty  years  of  age.  At  this  time  he  took  charge  of  the  church 
with  which  he  first  united,  but  afterwards  moved  to  the  Coal 
Marshes  in  Fayette.  When  he  settled  in  this  county,  he  was  less 
abundant  in  labors,  and  less  efficient  in  his  Master's  cause  than 
formerly ;  but  having  met  with  a  variety  of  trials,  he  renewedly 
consecrated  himself  to  God,  and  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
For  many  years  he  was  one  of  the  most  active  ministers  of  the 
Greenbrier  Association.  The  urgent  necessities  of  the  churches, 
and  the  repeated  solicitation  of  his  brethren,  kept  him  almost 
constantly  employed.  In  the  Counties  of  Giles,  Monroe,  Green- 
brier, Bath,  and  Nicholas,  he  traveled  much,  dispensing  the  Word 
of  Life ;  and  while  he  preached  Christ  publicly,  he  neglected  not 
to  warn  from  house  to  house.  Great  pleasure  was  manifested  by 
him  in  conversing  on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  in  this  way  he 
was  qnite  useful. 

His  views  of  truth  were  similar  to  those  entertained  by  the 
great  body  of  the  Baptists.  Those  doctrines  which  lay  the  sin- 
ner in  the  dust,  and  leave  him  dependent  on  the  mere  mercy  of 
his  Sovereign,  were  orten  introduced  and  defended  in  his  public 
discourses.  No  less  faithful  were  his  exhibitions  of  human  re- 
sponsibility. While  he  taught  that  it  was  a  crime  of  unspeak- 
able heinousness  not  to  love  God  with  all  the  heart,  so  also  he 
considered  the  refusal  of  sinners  to  believe  the  gospel  equally 
sinful. 

"With  regard  to  his  manner  of  preaching,"  says  one  who  had 
opportunity  of  forming  a  judgment,  "when  he  commenced  the 
ministry,  he  was  generally  uninteresting,  and  at  a  great  loss  for 
words.  He  seldom  ever  confined  himself  to  any  particular  me- 
thod until  he  had  been  preaching  several  years,  when  he  became 
more  systematic.     He  was  justly  called  a  doctrinal  preacher,  but 


396  JAMES  ELLISON. 

failed  not  to  apply  the  truth  to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  and 
often  in  such  a  way  as  to  excite  deep  interest.  He  was  a  con- 
siderable reasoner :  some  of  his  appeals  to  the  unconverted,  in 
the  latter  part  of  his  life,  were  very  powerful.  If  he  may  be 
regarded  as  delighting  to  dwell  on  any  one  theme  more  than 
another,  it  was  the  adaptedness  of  the  gospel  to  the  necessities 
of  sinners." 

Elder  Ellison  was  an  uncompromising  friend  to  the  cause  of 
missions.  To  know  that  the  glad  tidings  were  finding  their  way 
to  the  idolatrous  nations  of  the  earth,  created  the  most  unaffected 
joy.  He  delighted  to  refer  to  those  prophecies  which  speak  of 
the  glory  of  the  latter  day.  Any  means  which  might,  under  the 
Divine  blessing,  contribute  to  the  accomplishment  of  these  pro- 
phecies, he  most  willingly  employed.  His  addresses  on  the  sub- 
ject of  missions  were  productive  of  good,  by  leading  the  churches 
to  feel  their  obligation  to  send  abroad  the  gospel.  There  was 
scarcely  a  benevolent  institution  but  found  in  him  not  only  an 
advocate,  but  a  patron.  He  delighted  to  do  as  well  as  say,  and 
thus  his  example  stimulated  others  to  act.  It  is  said,  in'the  latter 
part  of  his  life  he  gave  away  to  various  good  objects  more  than 
he  received  from  the  churches. 

During  one  portion  of  his  ministerial  career,  Elder  E.  was 
much  embarrassed  in  his  pecuniary  concerns.  It  is  possible,  in 
this  particular,  he  did  not  exercise  sufficient  caution.  There 
may  be  cases  when  a  good  man  may  unavoidably  become  involved 
in  debt,  but  in  most  instances  such  difficulties  are  the  result  of 
imprudence.  It  is  an  apostolic  injunction  to  "  owe  no  man  any- 
thing," and  this  precept  is  no  less  binding  than  salutary.  Every 
man,  then,  and  especially  every  Christian  minister,  should  cau- 
tiously circumscribe  his  expenditures  within  his  resources.  No- 
thing tends  more  to  lessen  the  influence  of  a  preacher,  than  the 
disregard  of  this  rule.  It  is  believed  that  the  ministrations  of 
our  brother  were  less  efficient  on  this  account.  JSTotwithstanding 
this,  he  was  a  useful  man.  Considering  his  large  family,  having 
reared  twelve  children,  and  the  fact  that  he  was  dependent  on  his 
own  exertions  for  a  livelihood,  it  is  rather  surprising  that  he 
should  have  improved  so  much,  and  preached  so  frequently.    The 


JAMES   ELLISON.  BQ'J 

neglect  of  the  churches  in  failing  to  provide  more  bountifully  for 
his  support  is  painfully  apparent. 

We  now  approach  the  close  of  his  life.  In  the  spring  of  1834 
he  determined  to  attend  the  General  Association,  which  was  to 
meet  in  Richmond.  Accordingly,  with  his  son,  he  left  home  in 
May,  and  on  his  way  visited  several  congregations  where  he  had 
previously  preached.  He  also  attended  the  Strawberry  Associa- 
tion, and  a  protracted  meeting  at  Deep  Run,  near  Richmond. 
Owing  to  indisposition,  he  did  not  go  into  the  city  until  the 
second  day  of  the  anniversaries ;  from  that  time,  though  quite 
unwell,  he  never  failed  to  attend  either  night  or  day,  until  com- 
pelled to  leave  to  meet  appointments  previously  made.  The 
morning  after  leaving  the  city  he  was  extremely  hoarse,  and 
unable  to  preach  until  Sabbath  evening;  he  then  addressed  a 
very  attentive  assembly,  from  the  words,  "As  Moses  lifted  up 
the  serpent,"  etc.  Two  days  after  this  he  became  too  unwell  to 
travel,  having  reached  the  house  of  a  friend  between  Liberty  and 
Fincastle. 

Two  days  after  his  confinement,  he  observed  to  some  one  pre- 
sent that  he  had  traveled  much  in  preaching  the  gospel,  but  this 
was  his  last  journey ;  he  also  remarked  that  the  condition  of  the 
churches  had  occupied  much  of  his  thoughts,  and  that  he  felt  a 
strong  desire  to  see  them  more  prosperous.  The  same  subject 
was  renewed  the  next  day.  "I  have,"  said  he,  "been  thinking 
all  night  of  the  happy  influence  which  Christians  might  have 
over  one  another ;  I  am  distressed  that  the  Church  of  Christ  is 
so  divided ;  the  disciples  should  rally  their  forces  and  be  united ; 
they  might  wield  an  almighty  power."  After  worship,  he  said : 
"I  have  reason  to  be  ashamed  of  myself, — so  few  prayers  offered 
in  faith."  The  same  day,  he  adverted  also  to  the  condition  of 
the  colored  people,  lamented  that  their  religious  privileges  were 
so  much  abridged,  and  especially  that  they  were  unable  to  read 
the  word  of  God. 

On  the  twenty-first  of  the  month,  he  conversed  much  on  the 
great  salvation  of  the  gospel,  and  the  duty  of  sending  it  to  every 
creature  ;  spoke  also  of  the  temperance  reform.  At  night,  com- 
mented  on  the  love  of  David  to  Jonathan ;  his  mind  uncommonly 
clear.     The  twenty-second  being  the  Sabbath,  he  requested  his 

VOL.  I.  34 


398  JEREMIAH   CHANDLER. 

son  to  read  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  John,  and  some  of  the 
succeeding  chapters,  and  manifested  peculiar  delight  in  contem- 
plating this  portion  of  the  word  of  God.  For  several  days  he 
continued  to  decline,  daring  which  time  he  was  frequently  heard 
to  speak  of  Christ  and  his  salvation.  In  expressing  his  convic- 
tion of  what  the  Christians  in  these  United  States  should  be  will- 
ing to  do,  he  said:  "They  ought  to  consecrate  themselves,  their 
time,  talents,  and  money,  to  the  Lord :  not  inquiring  when  or 
how  they  could  make  the  most  or  live  the  easiest,  but  where  or 
how  they  could  do  the  most  good."  In  reference  to  his  own 
future  condition  he  was  satisfied.  He  would  say,  "I  am  the 
chief  of  sinners,  but  the  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin;" 
and  "his  atonement  is  my  only  hope."  On  the  evening  of  the 
twenty-seventh,  after  lying  for  some  time  as  though  he  was  asleep, 
he  opened  his  eyes ;  with  a  smile,  he  raised  his  feeble  emaciated 
hands  toward  heaven,  and  exclaimed.  Glory,  glory !  Soon  after 
repeated,. 

"AH  my  capacious  powers  can  wisli, 
In  Thee  doth  richly  meet ; 
Nor  to  my  eyes  is  life  so  dear, 
Nor  friendship  half  so  sweet." 

A  friend  came  in  and  asked  him  how  he  was;  he  replied,  "If  I 
die  I  shall  be  well,"  About  sunset  he  became  unable  to  speak,  but 
still  manifested  great  pleasure  in  what  was  sung.  Between  two 
and  three  o'clock  he  bid  farewell  to  earth's  cares,  and  mounted 
upward  to  dwell  with  God. 


JEREMIAH     CHANDLER.* 

Jeremiah  Chandler,  according  to  the  best  information  that 
can  be  obtained,  was  a  native  of  Caroline  County.  He  was  born 
in  the  year  1*749.  From  Caroline  he  removed  into  the  County 
of  Orange.     But  little  is  known  of  his  early  life,  or  as  to  the 

*  Prepared  by  John  Pierce. 


MILES  TURPIN.  399 

circamstances  or  time  of  his  embracing  religion.  More  than 
forty  years  ago  he  moved  into  the  County  of  Spottsylvania. 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  He  was,  at  the 
time  of  his  removal,  a  Baptist  minister;  but  how  long  he  had 
been  preaching  before  is  unknown.  He  had  the  care  of  two 
churches :  North  Pamunky,  in  the  County  of  Orange,  and  Piney 
Branch,  in  Spottsylvania ;  both  of  which  he  continued  to  serve, 
so  long  as  he  was  able,  with  unwearied  zeal  and  more  than  ordi- 
nary punctuality. 

Elder  Chandler's  opportunities  for  ministerial  improvement 
were  very  limited;  having  a  large  family  of  children  dependent 
upon  his  own  exertions  for  support,  he  had  but  little  time  to 
devote  to  any  other  object.  Nevertheless,  his  was  a  successful 
ministry,  and  affords  another  to  examples  already  innumerable 
of  the  scriptural  truth,  that  "it  is  God  who  giveth  the  increase." 
Among  the  seals  to  his  ministry  may  be  reckoned  two  Baptist 
preachers,  both  of  whom* occupied  a  distinguished  place  in  the 
affection  of  Yirginia  Baptists. 

The  chief  excellency  of  Elder  Chandler's  preaching  consisted 
in  a  plain  and  simple  delivery  of  the  truths  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion as  taught  in  the  Scriptures.  He  lived  to  the  advanced  age 
of  eighty-five  years;  having  enjoyed,  at  least  in  his  latter  years, 
an  unusual  portion  of  health.  As  to  the  manner  of  his  departure 
the  writer  of  this  knows  nothing  personally,  but  has  been  informed 
that  he  died  in  the  triumph  of  faith. 


MILES    TURPIN. 

Miles  Turpin  was  born  in  Henrico  County,  October  21sf, 
1775.  He  grew  up  with  few  advantages  for  the  cultivation  of 
his  mind,  and,  at  the  time  of  his  conversion,  was  quite  illiterate. 
This  event  occurred  in  1803,  about  two  years  after  he  had  entered 
the  marriage  relation.  Although  uneducated,  he  cherished  a  desire 
publicly  to  exhort  his  fellow-men,  and,  with  the  sanction  of  the 
church,  for  many  years  employed  his  talent  in  this  way.  He  at 
length  began  to  preach  the  gospel.     The  support  of  a  numerous 


400  MILES   TURPIN. 

family  devolving  on  him,  this  privilege  was  not  very  freqaently 
enjoyed.  In  consequence  of  his  numerous  domestic  cares  but 
little  proficiency  in  knowledge  was  made,  nor  did  he  rapidly 
improve  as  a  public  speaker. 

The  responsibilities  of  the  Christian  ijiinistry  were  not  fully 
assumed  by  him  until  1821.  In  the  spring  of  this  year  he  was 
ordained  by  Elders  John  Courtney  and  Andrew  Broaddus.  He 
then  began  to  devote  more  time  to  the  work  of  preaching  the 
gospel.  The  church  at  Four  Mile  Creek  gave  him  an  invitation 
to  settle  among  them  as  their  pastor,  and,  after  much  prayer,  he 
consented  to  enter  upon  this  relation.  His  usefulness  now  became 
more  apparent,  although  his  efforts  were  not  much  extended 
beyond  the  county  in  which  he  resided. 

The  talents  of  Elder  Turpin  as  a  speaker  were  not  of  a  superior 
order;  still  he  was  usually  heard  with  attention.  Artless  and 
plain  in  his  manner,  when  he  stood  up  to  recommend  the  character 
and  service  of  Him  he  most  loved,  it  was  evident  to  all  that  he 
was  influenced  by  the  best  of  motives.  Though  the  graces  of 
elocution  and  the  beauties  of  style  were  not  to  be  discovered  in  the 
delivery  of  his  discourses,  nor  even  depth  of  thought,  he  never- 
theless enjoyed  the  respect  and  confidence  of  those  who  sat  under 
his  ministry.  Nor  was  he  without  manifest  tokens  of  his  Master's 
approbation ;  many,  through  his  means,  were  brought  to  a  know- 
ledge of  the  truth.  The  unaffected  goodness  of  his  heart  and  the 
blamelessness  of  his  life  contributed  more  to  his  usefulness  as  a 
preacher  than  his  talents.  The  unadorned  presentation  of  the 
truth,  sustained  as  it  was  by  the  winning  influence  of  a  holy 
example,  could  not  be  without  salutary  effects. 

As  a  pastor  Elder  Turpin  was,  to  a  considerable  extent,  suc- 
cessful. A  large  and  flourishing  church  was  built  up  under  his 
labors.  When  he  entered  the  pastoral  relation  there  were  only 
four  male  members,  and  the  number  of  females  was  comparatively 
small;  at  the  time  of  his  death  there  had  been  an  increase  of 
more  than  three  hundred.  He  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  most 
of  his  numerous  family  the  subjects  of  Christ's  kingdom  before  he 
was  called  to  his  reward  in  heaven.  What  was  to  him  an  un- 
speakable satisfaction,  one  of  his  sons  entered  the  work  of  the 


MILES   TUEPJN.  401 

gospel  ministry  with  the  promise  of  usefulness  in  the  kingdom  of 
the  Redeemer. 

Elder  Turpin's  death  was  unexpected.  Being  suddenly  arrested 
by  disease,  after  a  few  days  of  suffering  he  was  received  by  his 
heavenly  Master  to  the  rest  of  the  upper  world.  In  referring  to 
this  painful  event,  one  of  the  members  of  his  church  thus  speaks : 
"The  Lord's  day  previous  to  the  last  that  he  lived  to  see,  he 
preached,  and  had  administered  the  ordinance  of  baptism  a  very 
short  time  before.  And,  in  his  dying  hours,  nothing  seemed  so 
much  to  concern  him  as  the  future  prospects  of  the  people  of  his 
charge.  His  chief  anxiety  was  that  sinners  might  be  converted 
and  the  piety  of  the  saints  cherished. 

"That  his  family  would  continue  to  enjoy  the  kind  guidance, 
almighty  protection,  and  necessary  provisions  of  Providence,  he 
seems  to  have  felt  not  a  doubt.  In  life  he  had  been  devoted  to 
the  service  of  God  in  laboring  for  the  salvation  of  souls — con- 
cerned only  to  acquire  a  competency  for  his  family:  in  death  he 
had  nothing  to  do  but  to  'depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far 
better.'  He  was  fully  aware  of  his  approaching  dissolution. 
Indeed  his  family  think  that  he  had  felt,  for  many  months,  a  pre- 
sentiment of  his  death.  In  the  entire  exercise  of  his  reason  until 
the  last,  he  confidently  resigned  his  spirit  without  alarm  to  the 
hands  of  the  great  Redeemer. " 

The  editor  of  the  Religious  Herald  alludes  to  his  character  in 
the  following  language:  "Endued  by  nature  with  a  kindly  dis- 
position. Elder  Turpin  exhibited  in  his  spirit  and  deportment  a 
degree  of  good-will  and  benevolence  we  have  rarely  seen  excelled. 
The  pervading  element  of  his  mind  was  love.  It  gave  a  cast  to 
his  whole  character.  He  was  kindly  aflfectioned  toward  all  men. 
His  language  ever  appeared  to  be,  '  Grace  be  unto  all  who  love 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.'  He  was  also  ardently  at- 
tached to  all  the  benevolent  institutions,  which  have  shed  such  a 
lustre  on  the  present  age.  Though  not  blessed  with  a  liberal 
education  himself,  he  was  sensible  of  the  value  of  knowledge  to  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  he  ardently  rejoiced  at  the  formation 
of  the  Yirginia  Education  Society,  and  ever  manifested  a  deep 
interest  in  its  welfare.     He  also  encouraged  a  missionary  spirit 

VOL.  I.— 2a  34* 


402  MILES   TURPIN". 

among  his  people,  not  only  by  exhortation,  but  example.  He 
felt  anxious  that  the  gospel,  which  to  him  was  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation,  should  be  preached  to  every  creature.  He  was 
also  a  decided  friend  to  the  temperance  cause." 

As  expressive  of  the  estimate  in  which  he  was  held  by  the 
church  of  which  he  was  pastor,  we  close  this  tribute  to  the  memory 
of  our  brother  by  an  extract  from  their  Minutes : — 

"  There  is  a  peculiar  pleasure,  as  well  as  propriety,  in  paying 
honor,  at  death,  to  those  excellent  men  who  have  staked  their  all 
in  defence  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  And  if  religion  is  the 
highest  glory  of  our  nature,  and  if  to  have  much  of  the  spirit  of 
Christ  is  to  be  eminent  in  religion,  it  must  be  confessed  there 
have  been  few  men  who  have  appeared  more  worthy  of  honor  and 
everlasting  remembrance  than  he  whom  we  now  lament.  The 
very  foundation  of  his  character  seems  to  have  been  a  habitual 
sense  and  reverence  of  Grod.  He  exhibited  much  of  the  fear  of 
God;  a  fear  which,  far  from  being  abject  and  servile,  seemed 
constantly  cherished  by  a  filial,  ardent,  active  love.  He  enjoyed 
God  in  all  things,  and  all  things  in  God.  In  an  eminent  sense  he 
walked  with  his  Maker,  and  appeared  habitually  to  converse  less 
with  his  fellow-creatures  than  with  Him  who  is  invisible.  The 
man  who  converses  much  v/ith  God  will  be  humble.  This  was  a 
conspicuous  trait  in  our  deceased  friend.  Indeed,  humility,  that 
cardinal  virtue  of  a  Christian,  made  up  a  great  part  of  his  cha- 
racter. He  had  deep  and  extensive  views  of  human  depravity  and 
of  his  own  indwelling  corruption,  and  went  mourning  under  a  sense 
of  them.  Hence  he  experimentally  felt  and  highly  appreciated 
the  importance  of  a  Saviour,  his  atonement,  his  intercession,  and 
the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Hence  he  prized  the  peculiar 
doctrines  of  Christianity.  He  felt  that  they  only  laid  a  foundation 
sufficiently  broad  and  deep  for  the  salvation  of  a  sinner.  On  these 
he  ventured  his  soul  and  his  eternal  hopes.  They  not  only  sup- 
ported him  in  death,  but  sweetened  and  adorned  his  life." 


SAMUEL  L.  STRAUGHAN.  403 


SAMUEL   LAMKIN    STRAUGHAN.* 

Samuel  Lamkin  Straughan  was  born  in  Northumberland 
County,  Yirginia,  July  30,  1783.  He  was  the  son  of  Samuel  L. 
and  Phebe  Straughan,  who  was  Phebe  Lewis.  His  family,  on 
the  side  of  both  father  and  mother,  though  not  opulent,  was  re- 
spectable. His  father,  who  followed  the  business  of  a  farmer, 
required  his  sons  to  work  on  the  farm ;  and  this  was  Samuel's 
employment  as  soon  as  he  was  of  sufficient  size  to  be  engaged  in 
labor.  He  went  two  or  three  years  to  ordinary  schools,  at  which 
he  made  the  best  use  of  his  time,  and  had  acquired,  at  eleven  or 
twelve  years  of  age,  sufficient  skill  in  the  various  branches  of  an 
English  education  to  become  an  assistant  storekeeper  for  his  uncle. 

During  his  childhood  he  was  remarkable  for  his  serious  and 
manly  deportment ;  often  asking  interesting  questions,  and  mani- 
festing but  little  inclination  for  childish  play.  He  took  great 
pleasure  in  reading,  writing,  and  all  such  employments  as  tended 
to  improve  his  mind  in  useful  knowledge.  At  a  very  early  age 
he  became  fond  of  reading  the  Scriptures  and  otlier  religious 
books,  and  making  inquiries  of  his  parents  respecting  religious 
subjects,  insomuch  that  his  father  used  often  to  call  him  his 
preacher.  He  was  never  known  but  once  to  use  a  profane  ex- 
pression, and,  being  chastised  for  this  by  his  mother,  he  was  never 
afterwards  guilty  of  a  similar  offence.  After  he  became  a  preacher 
he  frequently  mentioned  this  circumstance,  as  a  proof  of  the  ad- 
vantage of  religious  and  moral  education,  and  how  easily  bad 
habits  may  be  prevented  if  the  evil  be  corrected  in  time. 

His  deportment,  while  living  with  his  uncle,  was  so  amiable  as 
to  gain  his  confidence  and  cordial  affection ;  and  having  no  chil- 
dren of  his  own,  he  declared  that  it  was  his  intention  to  make  his 
nephew  his  heir.j"  He  continued  in  this  situation  until  his  uucle 
declined  the  mercantile  business,  and  then,  by  his  recommendation, 

*  Abridged  by  R.  B.  Semple. 

f  His  uncle,  however,  died  -without  will,  and  Samuel  received  only  his 
portion  among  the  other  relations. 


404  SAMUEL  L.  STRAUGHAN. 

went  to  live  in  the  store  of  Mr.  James  Smith,  a  merchant  of  high 
standing,  at  Northumberland  Court-house.  Samuel  was  then 
eighteen  or  nineteen  years  of  age.  While  acting  as  storekeeper 
for  his  uncle,  such  was  his  eager  thirst  for  knowledge,  that  with 
scarcely  any  other  assistant  than  books  and  the  occasional  instruc- 
tion of  a  sea-captain,  he  acquired  an  accurate  knowledge  of 
arithmetic,  surveying,  and  navigation.  He  pursued,  afterwards, 
the  practice  of  surveying,  in  which  he  was  accounted  a  great 
proficient. 

It  was  while  at  Northumberland  Court-house  that  Mr.  Straughan 
obtained  an  interest  in  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer,  and  experienced 
the  power  of  vital  religion.  From  early  childhood  he  had  fre- 
quent convictions,  often  made  resolutions  of  amendment  of  life, 
and  as  often  relapsed  into  former  habits;  but  the  time  now 
approached  for  him  to  be  effectually  arrested.  In  April,  1802, 
he  first  saw  his  fallen  condition  as  a  sinner  before  God.  He  could 
no  longer  build  up  his  fallacious  hopes,  founded  on  woi'ks  of 
morality  and  social  goodness ;  but  he  found  that  his  most  righteous 
endeavors,  so  far  from  meriting  a  reward,  were  stained  with  sin 
and  required  the  blood  of  atonement  to  wash  away  their  guilt. 
He  became  an  earnest,  humble  seeker  of  salvation,  and  so  con- 
tinued for  several  months  before  he  was  visited  by  the  intimations 
of  Divine  acceptance. 

Being  at  some  distance  from  the  regular  administration  of  the 
word  and  ordinances,  Mr.  Straughan  did  not  find  an  opportunity 
to  be  baptized  until  the  seventh  of  the  next  April.  Mr.  Jacob 
Creath  had,  at  this  time,  the  care  of  the  Moratico  Church.  He 
baptized  Mr.  Straughan  without,  probably,  once  suspecting  that 
this  young  man  was  to  be  his  successor,  and  one  among  the 
most  brilliant  lights  in  his  day  and  generation. 

Within  a  few  months  after  he  was  baptized,  he  began  to  labor 
in  his  Master's  harvest.  His  first  essays  were  in  the  way  of 
exhortation,  in  which  he  occasionally  succeeded  so  well  as  to 
enkindle  hopes  in  the  minds  of  the  discerning  that  he  might 
become  an  acceptable  and  useful  preacher.  Mr.  Straughan  was 
singularly  modest,  and  would  not  push  himself  forward.  He 
seemed,  through  all  the  stages  of  his  life,  to  have  set  less  value 
on  his  own  abilities  than  any  one  else  did  who  knew  him  well 


SAMUEL  L.   STUAUGHAN.  405 

This  disposition,  together  with  his  narrow  circumstances,  his 
limited  education,  the  charge  of  a  family  by  an  early  marriage,* 
probably  tended  to  keep  him,  for  a  season,  out  of  public  view. 
It  was  two  or  three  years  before  he  came  into  much  notice,  though 
a  few  friends  had  at  an  early  period  of  his  labors  spoken  of  him 
as  a  promising  young  preacher. 

Toward  the  close,  however,  of  1805,  he  began  to  shine  forth 
with  too  much  splendor  to  be  kept  any  longer  in  obscurity.  On 
the  20th  of  March,  1806,  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and 
about  that  time  began  to  be  everywhere  spoken  of  in  high  terms. 
He  attended  the  Dover  Association,  held  in  York  County  this 
year,  and  being  chosen  as  one  of  the  preachers  for  the  Lord's 
day,  he  preached  to  the  comfort  of  many,  and  to  the  astonishment 
of  all  such  as  had  not  previously  heard  him.  Erom  year  to  year 
his  reputation  increased,  not  only  in  his  own  neighborhood,  but 
throughout  the  adjoining  churches ;  and  although  still  but  a 
young  man,  he  was  often,  indeed  almost  constantly,  preferred  by 
the  hearers  to  the  more  experienced. 

On  the  day  of  his  ordination  he  took  the  care  of  Wicomico 
Church,  being  called  to  this  charge  by  unanimous  vote.  This 
church  had  been  constituted  a  year  or  two  previously,  with  but 
twenty-four  members,  but  it  soon  began  to  increase  under  his 
labors.  The  mere  approbation  of  mortals  was  not  the  only  fruit 
of  his  ministry ;  his  Grod  also  spoke  approbation,  and  great  suc- 
cess attended  his  endeavors.  A  refreshing  revival  ensued.  His 
preaching  reached  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  and  there  were  many 
humble  and  contrite  inquirers.  Mr.  Straughan's  soul  revived 
with  the  revival.  He  went  forth  day  and  night,  to  rich  and  poor, 
where  there  were  openings.  In  the  pulpit  he  lifted  the  gospel 
hammer  with  mighty  strength,  and  many  a  rocky  heart  was 
broken.  When  there  were  meltings  in  the  congregation,  he  would 
mo?e  among  the  people,  from  one  to  another,  offering  the  most 
appropriate  exhortations  and  the  most  fervent  prayers.  He  had, 
indeed,  a  singular  gift  at  exhortation  on  such  occasions,  and  he 
used  it  with  much  diligence  and  success.     In  the  course  of  a  few 

*  He  was  married  at  about  twenty-one  years  of  age,  to  Mrs.  Alexander, 
a  young  widow  with  one  child. 


406  SAMUEL  L.    STRAUGHAN. 

years,  Wicomico  Church,  from  being  a  mere  handful,  became  two 
hundred  and  eighty  in  number.  Of  these,  there  were  many  who 
had  not  previously  any  fondness  for  the  Baptists,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, were  highly  prejudiced  against  them. 

In  1807  he  was  unanimously  chosen  to  the  care  of  Moratico 
Church.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  held  the  charge  until  his 
death.  In  this  church,  also,  he  had  some  blessed  seasons. 
Gradual  additions  of  useful  and  pious  members  were  made  from 
time  to  time,  but  in  1816  they  had  a  considerable  revival,  in  which 
forty  or  fifty  professed  to  be  converted  and  were  baptized.  In 
this  work  Mr.  Straughan  was  deeply  engaged.  In  several  other 
revivals,  there  were  many  useful  as  well  as  pious  members  added 
to  both  the  churches  of  which  he  had  the  care,  and  these  churches 
continued  in  a  flourishing  and  happy  state  until  his  death. 

In  the  Association  of  1812,  Mr.  Straughan's  first  essay  as  a 
writer  came  forth.  He  composed  the  Circular  Letter  for  this 
year,  on  the  subject  of  itinerant  preaching.  It  was  admired  for 
its  simplicity  and  excellent  sense.  In  the  year  1814  he  was 
chosen  by  the  Missionary  Society  of  Richmond  to  travel  into 
certain  parts  of  Maryland,  where  it  was  supposed  tliere  was  a 
great  call  for  evangelical  preaching. 

Mr.  Straughan  had  once  visited  that  destitute  section  of 
country,  by  special  invitation,  and  had  been  found  to  be  highly 
acceptable.  This  consideration,  added  to  his  known  talents,  his 
persevering  firmness,  his  unabating  zeal,  and,  above  all,  his  spot- 
less purity  of  character,  marked  him  out  as  the  proper  laborer  in 
this  new  and  difficult  field.  He  was  unanimously  chosen,  and  his 
conduct  on  receiving  this  notice  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  these 
memoirs. 

The  intelligence  produced  on  his  mind  a  weighty  solemnity, 
attended  with  fear  and  trembling.  He  was  perplexed  to  decide 
how  duty  called  him  to  act.  He  had  the  care  of  two  large 
churches,  which  required  all  his  attention  ;  and  he  feared  to  neglect 
them,  lest  he  should  not  be  found  a  faithful  watchman.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  Maryland  call  seemed  to  be  more  than  human, 
and  could  not  be  slighted.  In  this  dilemma,  he  pursued  the 
godly  man's  course.  He  laid  the  matter  before  his  church,  and 
they  agreed  to  appoint  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  for  the  pur- 


SAMUEL  L.  STRAUGHAN.  40Y 

pose  of  seeking  the  Lord's  direction.  The  result  was  a  determi- 
nation to  accept  the  appointment,  and  notice  was  accordingly 
given  to  the  society.  In  a  short  time  he  sent  on  his  appoint- 
ments, and  commenced  his  labors  of  love  in  this  benighted  region. 
Many  were  the  difficulties  encountered  by  this  man  of  God  in 
discharging  the  duties  of  this  mission;  difficulties  more  than 
sufficient  to  appall  the  spirit  of  any  man  less  resolute  than  Samuel 
L.  Straughan. 

His  amiable  deportment,  his  simplicity  of  manners,  his  un- 
affected piety,  his  unabating  zeal,  his  indefatigable  labors,  his  ex- 
cellent talents ;  and  withal  his  spiritual,  scriptural,  and  evangeli- 
cal doctrine,  commending  itself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God,  soon  began  to  make  him  useful.  From'  enemies 
many  became  friends,  and  from  despisers  they  became  admirers. 

Mr.  S.  kept  a  journal  of  all  his  travels  in  Maryland.  In  this 
journal  he  frequently  relates  interesting  anecdotes  of  occurrences 
and  conversations  which  took  place  in  his  travels  ;  some  of  which 
show  the  state  of  public  opinion  among  those  people,  and  exhibit 
the  dealings  of  God  in  support  of  the  truth. 

Mr.  Straughan's  visits  to  Maryland  continued  to  be  made 
steadily  and  faithfully  several  times  in  each  year,  until  he  was  ar- 
rested by  the  disease  of  which  he  died.  He  often  met  with  great 
discouragements,  but  was  as  often  supported  under  them,  either 
by  the  internal  operations  of  God's  grace,  or  by  external  occur- 
rences in  his  Providence,  in  which  he  thought  he  frequently  saw 
the  hand  of  his  Master  stretched  forth  for  his  encouragement  and 
aid.  On  one  occasion,  he  tells  us  in  his  journal,  he  had  serious 
fears  that  his  going  on  this  mission  was  displeasing  to  God.  It 
was  at  a  time  when  he  had  taken  much  pains  to  make  appoint- 
ments in  different  places,  and  in  most  of  which  they  had  failed, 
through  the  inattention  of  those  to  whom  they  were  intrusted. 
In  one  case,  where  an  appointment  was  made,  he  could  obtain  no 
house  to  preach  in,  though  he  offered  a  woman  who  kept  a  tavern 
a  dollar  an  hour  for  the  use  of  her  house.  She  alleged  that  she 
had  no  objections,  but  that  her  preacher  had  disapproved  of  it. 
To  counteract  these  discouragements  God  gave  him  many  tokens 
of  his  special  regard. 

The  great  ignorance  as  to  the  Scriptures  among  the  people, 


408  SAMUEL  L.   STllAUGHAN. 

most  of  whom  were  Catholics,  was  Very  discouraging;  but  it 
seemed  to  call  the  more  loudly  for  a  faithful  ministry.  Some,  in 
speaking  of  the  Bible,  would  say:  "I  don't  like  it,  sir;"  and  some 
would  say  it  was  a  Baptist  Bible,  and  ought  not  to  be  allowed  in 
their  houses.  Mr.  S.,  however,  drew  some  encouragement  from 
the  judgments  of  God  against  opposers.  In  one  instance,  some 
young  men  went  to  a  place  of  water,  and  there,  in  a  profane  way, 
dipped  one  another  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity !  One  of 
them  (a  ringleader)  some  time  after,  in  a  fit  of  despair,  went  to 
the  same  water  and  drowned  himself.  Mr.  Straughan's  remark 
is :  "  God  will  not  be  mocked !" 

On  some  occasions  he  seems  to  have  had  his  soul  wound  up 
to  a  high  degree  of  confidence  and  consolation,  while  his  preach- 
ing had  visible  and  hopeful  effects  upon  the  people  :  some  weep- 
ing and  mourning  for  sin ;  some  inquiring  with  anxious  minds ;  a 
few  young  and  a  few  old  professors  rejoicing  with  warm  hearts ; 
and  all  exceedingly  affectionate  toward  him. 

One  or  two  of  these  instances  may  be  referred  to.  He  says : 
"Many  prejudices  have  been  removed.  I  will  mention  a  case  or 
two:  The  last  summer  I  was  in  company  with  a  well-disposed 
Methodist,  and,  after  having  conversation  on  religious  subjects, 
he  observed  to  a  friend,  'How  I  have  been  deceived!'  He  had 
heard  many  tales  about  the  Baptists  that  had  given  rise  to  his 
prejudices,  which  he  now  found  to  be  groundless.  He  is  now  a 
pretty  constant  hearer. 

"Another  instance :  A  class-leader  had  written  to  one  of  the 
members  of  the  society,  at  whose  house  I  had  preached,  forbidding 
the  like  liberty  to  be  granted  again.  After  some  time  this  per- 
son came  to  one  of  my  appointments  and  was  so  prejudiced  that 
he  would  not  sing ;  but  when  I  went  again  he  sent  for  me  to  call 
and  see  him.  We  conversed  freely  together.  He  acknowledged 
that  he  had  been  opposed  to  me,  but  hoped  I  would  forgive  him, 
and  said  his  home  would  always  be  open  to  me. 

"What  shall  we  say  to  these  things :  if  God  be  for  us,  who  can 
be  against  us  ?  I  firmly  believe  the  missionary  cause  is  the  cause 
of  God,  and  that  he  will  own  and  bless  it.  My  only  grief  is,  that 
the  society  has  made  such  a  poor  choice,  and  that  I  can  do  no 
more  in  so  great  and  good  a  cause.     Did  I  but  possess  such 


SAMUEL  L.  STRAUGHAN.  409 

gracious  qualifications  and  mental  improvements  as  a  missionary 
ought  to  possess,  it  would  be  my  glory  to  be  laid  out  for  the 
furtherance  of  Immanuel's  kingdom,  in  any  way  and  in  any  direc- 
tion whither  Providence  should  lead  and  a  sense  of  duty  impel." 

At  another  time  he  writes,  under  date  of  May  9th,  1820  :  "  In 
the  month  of  March  I  passed  through  the  missionary  ground  in 
Maryland.  I  found  that  the  anxieties  of  the  people  to  hear  the 
Word  of  the  Lord  were  increasing,  while  a  conviction  of  the 
necessity  of  heart-religion  is  gaining  ground.  The  people  in 
Maryland  are  generally  remarkable  for  hospitality,  and  are  much 
more  tolerant  in  respect  to  religious  privileges  and  intercourse 
than  formerly.  The  very  neighborhood  in  which  old  Brethren 
Moore  and  Hagen  were  persecuted,  and  the  latter  plunged  in  the 
water,  until  he  said  he  believed  they  meant  to  drown  him,  now 
aifords  one  of  the  largest  and  most  respectable  congregations 
that  attend  upon  the  ministrations  of  your  missionary." 

In  his  visit  in  April,  1817,  he  relates  a  very  solemn  pax'ting 
with  his  young  Christian  brethren.  "Brother  Perry  came  by  to 
accompany  me  to  the  ferry.  We  joined  in  prayer  on  the  shore 
before  we  parted."  On  this  occurrence  he  makes  the  following 
reflections :  "  Oh  how  religion  unites  souls  to  each  other  in  the 
strong  bonds  of  Christian  affection  I  Oh  what  a  place  heaven 
must  be  !  where  all  the  saints  of  God  shall  dwell  secure  from  all 
the  insults  and  distresses  which  they  now  have  to  bear ;  where  all 
the  angels  of  God  are ;  and  where  the  eternal  triune  God  displays 
his  glories  and  sheds  abroad  his  love,  through  the  glorious 
medium  of  the  once-suffering  but  now  exalted  Immanuel !  OJi, 
may  it  be  my  happiness  to  be  there,  to  bear  a  part  in  the  never- 
ceasing  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb !" 

At  one  time  he  had  an  appointment  at  some  public  place  in  St. 
Mary's,  where  there  were  few  or  none  who  felt  any  interest  in 
the  occasion,  but  where  there  were  a  number  of  persons  round 
about  the  house.  He  began  with  only  seven  or-  eight  present; 
but  to  excite  the  attention  of  others  he  raised  his  voice  loudly  in 
singing :  in  a  little  time  the  people  began  to  come  in,  and  before 
he  had  finished  his  sermon  he  had  a  respectable  audience. 

He  was  very  remarkable  for  his  punctuality  in  fulfilling  his  ap- 
pointments.    Sometimes  he  had  to  leave  home  under  the  most 

VOL.  I.  35 


410  SAMUEL   L.  STKAUGHAN. 

discouraging  circumstances.  His  family  sick,  himself  in  low 
health,  (lower  indeed  than  he  was  aware  of,)  his  affairs  in  confu- 
sion, his  churches  destitute  and  complaining,  and  his  spirits  deeply 
depressed.  And  though,  from  these  considerations,  he  often  hesi- 
tated, doubtful  whether  it  was  his  duty  to  go  on,  yet  in  almost 
every  instance  he  pressed  through  these  difficulties,  and  often 
returned  solemnly  impressed  with  the  belief  that  God  had  guided 
his  course.  Once  he  left  home  when  several  of  his  family  were 
sick,  and  with  many  fears  that  he  should  not  find  them  all  alive 
on  his  return.  He  ventured,  however,  to  go  on,  and  had  a  pros- 
perous journey ;  and  on  his  return  found  his  family  almost  well, 
while  several  of  his  neighbors  had  sickened  and  died  in  his  ab- 
sence. This  melted  him  into  humble  and  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments to  God. 

His  frequent  indispositions  hindered  him  from  being  as  regular 
in  attending  to  the  mission  as  his  pious  and  active  spirit  would 
have  prompted.  In  1819  he  was  compelled  to  withdraw  for  a 
considerable  time,  but  in  November  of  that  year  he  ventured  to 
go  again ;  and  on  his  way  he  makes  the  following  remark  in  his 
journal :  "During  this  day  I  had  some  pleasant  exercises  of  mind 
in  reflecting  upon  the  privileges  of  returning  to  the  missionary 
ground  in  Maryland,  having  been  laid  aside  for  about  six  months. 
Oh  for  a  heart  to  trust  and  praise  God !  and  may  the  angel  of  his 
covenant  go  with  me,  and  give  testimony  to  the  word  of  his 
grace."  In  consequence  of  his  long  absence  he  made  his  journal 
much  longer  than  usual;  and  at  the  close  he  inserts  the  following 
pious  reflections :  "  Oh  how  much  love  and  praise  do  I  owe  to  God 
for  all  his  goodness  toward  me !  for  health  and  good  weather 
during  this  long  trip. 

'  Oh  to  grace,  how  great  a  debtor, 
Daily  I'm  constrained  to  be  !' 

I  have  been  enabled  to  have  fifteen  meetings  for  the  last  fourteen 
days,  and  have  filled  them  up  with  much  comfort  to  myself,  and, 
I  hope,  with  advantage  to  many  others." 

In  the  beginning  of  1820  his  health  was  apparently  much  better. 
and  great  hopes  were  entertained,  by  himself  and  his  friends,  that 
his  pulmonary  symptoms  would  entirely  subside ;  in  consequence 


SAMUEL   L.  STRAUGHAN,  411 

of  which  he  ventured  to  extend  his  labors,  especially  in  his  mis- 
sionary field.  He  made  one  tour  to  Maryland  in  March,  and  left 
appointments  for  another  in  May ;  while  the  intermediate  space 
was  almost  entirely  filled  up  with  appointments  in  Yirginia. 
Having  about  this  time  much  of  the  spirit  of  preaching,  he  was 
peculiarly  animated,  and  extended  his  sermons  to  an  unusual 
length,  often  preaching,  with  laborious  exertion,  for  more  than  two 
hours. 

These  unremitted  labors,  added  to  his  exposure  in  many  in- 
stances to  unwholesome  weather,  appear  to  have  brought  on  his 
pulmonary  affections  with  double  violence.  A  distressing  hoarse- 
ness  seized  him  early  in  April ;  but  he  thought  it  no  more  than  a 
common  cold,  and  continued  his  labors  though  often  quite  fever- 
ish. His  towering  soul  was  reluctant  to  be  put  back.  His  spirit 
was  willing,  though  he  felt  his  flesh  weak  and  still  weakening.  He 
was  willing  to  be  spent  in  his  Master's  cause ;  and  so  indeed  it 
turned  out.  While  on  his  missionary  tour  in  May,  he  was  enabled 
for  awhile  to  go  through  his  labors  without  much  inconvenience 
to  himself,  and  with  great  satisfaction  to  his  congregations ;  but, 
after  a  few  days,  he  began  to  fail,  and  every  day  found  his  disorder 
increasing  upon  him.  He  still,  however,  pursued  his  appoint- 
ments, though  sometimes  obliged  to  cut  short  in  the  midst  of  his 
discourse. 

At  last,  on  the  thirtieth  of  May,  about  a  fortnight  from  the  time 
he  left  home,  he  was  finally  arrested  at  Nanjemoy  Meeting-house, 
Charles  County,  Maryland.  He  began  to  preach,  but  after  a  few 
minutes  he  was  constrained  to  close,  and  to  close  indeed  forever  as  to 
his  public  ministry.  From  the  force  of  his  disorder,  added  to  un- 
seasonable weather,  he  could  not  attempt  to  travel  homeward  for 
some  days.  He  reached  home,  however,  on  the  sixth  of  June, 
and  was  from  that  time  almost  wholly  confined  to  his  house  until 
his  death. 

Shortly  after  reaching  home  he  sent  for  medical  aid.  Physi- 
cians of  the  highest  reputation  in  the  adjacent  counties  generously 
attended  him,  and  continued  to  do  so  while  there  remained  any 
hope  of  his  recovery.  But,  alas  !  what  avails  the  most  exquisite 
skill  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  when  God  has  determined  to 
cut  the  thread  of  life  !    He  had  a  fixed  consumption,  and  no  medi- 


412  SAMUEL   L.  STEAUGHAN. 

cal  art  could  reach  his  ease.  With  some  temporary  revivals  in  his 
feelings,  his  disorder,  as  usual  in  that  disease,  grew  worse  and 
worse  until  his  death. 

It  is  desirable  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  spiritual  and 
religious  exercises  of  a  man  so  eminent  for  piety  and  usefulness, 
at  the  awful  crisis  when  earthly  hope  was  flying  fast  away.  At 
this  trying  season  he  seems  to  have  shone  with  more  than  usual 
lustre.  Shortly  after  reaching  home  he  concluded  that  he  should 
never  recover,  but  seemed  to  feel  very  little  concern  on  that  ac- 
count. He  would  say  there  were  two  considerations  which  made 
him  willing  to  live  longer — his  churches  and  his  family.  On  the 
other  hand,  there  were  considerations  of  some  weight  which  pre- 
vented him  from  any  anxiet}'^  to  live.  He  said  that  it  had  been 
his  unvarying  wish,  indeed  his  earnest  prayer,  that  Grod  would 
rather  take  him  out  of  the  world  than  suffer  him  to  disgrace  his 
cause,  or  become  a  stumbling-block  in  the  way  of  religion ;  that 
many,  who  were  apparently  worthy  characters  in  the  early  stage 
of  their  progress,  had  in  the  decline  of  life  fallen  into  sins  and  fol- 
lies, by  which  their  own  names  and  their  Master's  cause  had  been 
much  injured;  that  God  had  thus  far  preserved  him  from  any 
material  downfall ;  and  as  he  was  about  to  finish  his  course,  he 
viewed  it  as  a  great  mercy  that  he  should  die  without  bringing 
any  serious  reproach  upon  so  good  a  cause. 

During  the  last  week  of  his  illness  he  had  some  very  heavenly 
seasons.  Finding  himself  fast  approaching  his  dissolution,  he 
said  at  one  time,  with  much  feeling,  "Farewell,  sin  and  sorrow!" 
at  another,  "  0  death !  where  is  thy  sting  ?  0  grave !  where  is 
thy  victory  ?"     And  again — 

"I  cannot,  I  cannot  forbear 
These  passionate  longings  for  home." 

When  told  by  a  friend  that  he  was  going, he  said:  "Blessed  be 
God !  Glory  to  his  holy  name !"  and  then  took  another  farewell 
of  his  family  and  all  present. 

On  the  day  of  his  death  Mr.  Dunnaway,  one  of  his  particular 
friends,  came  to  see  him,  and  began  to  apologize  for  not  having 
come,  according  to  promise,  some  days  sooner.  He  replied,  that 
the  Lord  had  ordered  the  matter ;  that  he  had  come  at  the  right 


SAMUEL   L.  STRAUGHAN.  413 

time ;  he  would  now  see  him  die.  He  then  requested  his  friend  to 
shave  him,  and  put  on  his  shrouding  clothes,  which  he  had  pre- 
pared some  time  before.  Mr.  D.  replied,  he  would  do  that  in  the 
morning.     "Ah  !"  said  he,  "I  shall  be  in  glory  before  morning. '^ 

He  continued  to  converse  until  a  little  after  sunset,  and  was ' 
composed  during  family  worship.     Shortly  afterwards  he  became 
speechless ;  and  about  two  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning,  the  9th 
of  June,  1821,  he  expired! 

"  The  feeble  taper,  glimmering  round  the  room,  | 

Display'd  the  corpse  amid  the  solemn  gloom; 
But  o'er  the  scene  a  holy  calm  reposed  ; 
The  door  of  heaven  had  open'd  there,  and  closed." 

Thus  died  this  man  of  God,  in  the  very  zenith  of  his  age,  being 
not  quite  thirty-eight  years  old.  While  pausing  at  this  solemn 
event,  a  question  presented  itself  to  our  minds,  "  Why  should  such 
a  man  be  allowed  so  short  a  course  ?"  Ah !  but  this  is  not  for 
mortals  to  know.  The  solution  of  such  a  question  lies  among  the 
unsearchable  counsels  of  the  all- wise  God ;  the  abyss  of  whose 
providence  is 

"Too  deep  to  sound  with  mortal  line, 
Too  dark  to  view  with  feeble  sense." 

It  is  singular  that  the  section  of  country  in  which  Mr.  Straughan 
lived  and  labored  has  twice  experienced  nearly  the  same  afSicting 
scenes.  The  Baptist  churches  there  were  almost  all  planned  and 
built  up  under  the  labors  of  the  excellent  Lunsford,  who  was  in 
his  day  one  of  the  most  burning  and  shining  lights  ever  known  in 
that  part  of  the  country,  or  perhaps  anywhere  else.  He,  after 
running  a  short  though  glorious  race,  died  at  about  forty  years 
of  age.  After  a  lapse  of  about  ten  years,  Samuel  L.  Straughan 
was  raised  up,  and  became  a  shepherd  to  Lunsford's  scattered 
flock ;  and  was  instrumental  in  filling  their  thinned  ranks  with 
many  new  converts.  He  became  as  eminent  and  as  useful  as  his 
predecessor ;  and,  as  if  the  Lord  would  teach  us,  by  painful  lessons, 
that  all  our  help  is  in  him,  Straughan  also  died,  and  at  an  earlier 
period  than  did  Lunsford. 

The  writer  has  ventured  to  say,  that  "Straughan  became  as 
eminent  and  as  useful  as  Lunsford;"  and  he  feels  justified  in  the 

35* 


414  SAMUEL   L.  STRAUGHAN. 

assertion,  although  some,  perhaps,  may  think  otherwise.  He  was 
intimately  acquainted  Avith  both,  and  conceives  them  both  to  have 
been  of  the  first  grade  of  good  and  great  men  of  Grod;  very 
different  indeed  in  their  tempers  and  talents,  yet  both  pre-emi- 
nently pious,  and  signally  useful  in  their  Master's  cause.  In 
temper,  Lunsford  was  bold,  energetic,  and  fearless  of  man;  so 
persevering  that  nothing  could  appall  him;  so  determined  and 
courageous  that  nothing  could  deter  him.  He  kept  his  eye  fixed 
with  steadiness  on  his  object,  and  marched  directly  to  it.  He  had 
a  lion's  heart. 

Straughan  was  a  lamb — a  lamb,  indeed,  of  the  mildest  kind. 
He  was  calm,  meek,  mild,  forbearing,  and  forgiving.  He  loved 
his  fallen  fellow-men,  and  was  willing  to  weep  over  them,  to  per- 
suade them ;  indeed,  to  spend  and  be  spent,  to  live  and  die  for 
them.  He  was  by  no  means  deficient  in  spiritual  courage ;  but 
his  disposition  led  him  to  win  by  gentleness  rather  than  to  conquer 
by  power.  Nor  was  Lunsford  by  any  means  destitute  of  meek- 
ness ;  but  his  majestic  spirit  rose  so  conspicuously  as  to  draw  off 
the  observer's  attention  from  his  other  excellent  qualities.  Luns- 
ford's  feelings  prompted  him  to  command  all  men,  everywhere,  to 
repent;  Straughan's,  to  pray  them,  in  Christ's  stead,  to  be  recon- 
ciled to  God.  Each  had  much  of  the  Divine  image ;  each  had 
beheld,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  was  changed 
into  the  same  image ;  but  the  features  of  their  Master  seem  to 
have  been  differently  impressed  on  each.  Lunsford  imbibed  much 
of  his  Saviour's  sublimity;  Straughan,  much  of  his  simplicity. 
Lunsford  was  cheerful  without  levity  ;  Straughan  was  grave  with- 
out sternness.  Lunsford  excited  most  admiration;  Straughan, 
most  affection.  Lunsford,  more  free  and  open,  ate  and  drank 
with  sinners,  though  without  subjecting  himself  to  reproach; 
Straughan,  more  backward  and  reserved,  was  civil  to  all,  but 
familiar  only  with  the  friends  of  Zion.  They  were,  to  all  that 
knew  them  both,  standing  monuments  of  the  diversity  of  gifts 
arising  from  the  same  spirit,  "  dividing  to  every  man  severally  as 
he  will." 

In  some  great  points  they  were  much  alike.  Nature  had  done 
much  for  both.  In  regard  to  genius,  it  is  hard  to  say  which 
had  shared  most  largely.     They  were  both  eminent.    Neither  had 


SAMUEL   L.  STRAUGHAN.  4I5 

much  advantage  from  education.  Lunsford  was  almost  wholly 
self-taught ;  Straughan,  with  a  small  opportunity,  had  become  a 
tolerable  English  scholar.  Neither  of  them  was  inattentive  to 
the  means  for  improvement  in  useful  knowledge.  Lunsford  read 
more  extensively  and  took  a  wider  survey  of  the  field  of  divinity ; 
Straughan  confined  himself  more  to  the  Bible,  and  was,  in  deed 
and  truth,  "mighty  in  the  Scriptures."  They  were  both  diligent, 
laborious,  persevering,  warm,  heart-searching,  and  successful 
preachers. 

To  be  more  particular  in  characterizing  Mr.  Straughan,  we 
may  venture  to  say  that  we  have  never  known,  in  any  instance, 
his  superior,  either  as  a  pious  man  or  an  evangelical  minister. 
One  of  his  own  members  says  of  him:  "In  every  relation  of  life 
he  was  the  greatest  pattern  of  piety  I  have  ever  seen."  We  may 
add,  he  was,  in  our  estimation,  one  of  the  most  faithful  and 
exemplary  ministers  of  the  gospel  we  have  ever  kno\\m. 

As  to  talents,  it  is  hard  to  say  in  what  grade  we  should  place 
him.  Certainly,  in  the  pulpit  he  was,  in  matter,  inferior  to  none. 
In  the  arrangement  of  his  subjects,  or  in  his  manner,  he  was  not 
to  all  the  most  acceptable ;  but  with  those  who  heard  him  most 
frequently  none  stood  higher,  even  in  this  particular.  His  voice 
was  remarkably  sonorous,  and  rather  pleasant  than  otherwise. 
His  style  was  often  elegant,  always  nervous  and  strong,  never  low 
nor  disgusting.  His  address  was  simple,  sincere,  and  exceedingly 
animated.  His  countenance  was  prepossessing  to  a  very  high 
degree ;  perhaps  none  more  so.  In  a  word,  it  may  be  said  that 
he  spoke  as  one  having  authority ;  and,  by  his  forcible  manifesta- 
tion of  the  truth,  commended  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in 
the  sight  of  God. 

In  his  manner  and  style  there  were,  nevertheless,  some  defi- 
ciencies. His  articulation  was  too  rapid,  especially  in  the  early 
part  of  his  ministry ;  and  in  the  arrangement  of  his  matter  he  was 
not,  perhaps,  sufficiently  methodical  to  be  entirely  perspicuous. 
He  said  nothing  but  what  was  good,  generally  most  excellent; 
yet  his  truths  were  sometimes  so  intermixed  as  to  lose,  in  some 
degree,  their  bearing  and  connection. 

His  countenance,  while  in  the  pulpit,  was  in  the  highest  degree 
expressive  of  unaffected  devotion  to  God  and  holy  affection  for 


416  SAMUEL   L.  STRAUGHAN. 

man.  His  countenance  indeed,  everywhere,  spoke  much  for 
him.  His  action,  though  not  exactly  conformable  to  rhetorical 
rules,  was  rather  agreeable  and  becoming  than  otherwise ;  never 
strained,  never  affected.  His  discourses  were  more  remarkable 
for  argument  and  Scripture  illustrations  than  for  oratory  or  elo- 
quence; yet,  doubtless,  he  was  sometimes  truly  eloquent;  and 
what  gave  it  more  weight  was  that  it  was  obvious  eloquence  was 
not  his  aim.  He  seemed  to  rise  imperceptibly  to  himself;  and, 
animated  with  celestial  fire,  he  mounted,  as  on  the  wings  of  an 
eagle,  or  rather  of  an  angel,  and  never  failed  to  carry  his  audience 
with  him.  On  such  occasions  he  often  excited  the  astonishment 
of  his  hearers  by  the  sublimity  of  his  style — a  style  which  the 
most  learned  might  gladly  imitate.  In  his  doctrine  he  was  clearly 
and  plainly  evangelical.  He  might  be  termed  a  moderate  Cal- 
vinist. 

His  manners  in  private  life  were  pleasant  and  engaging  in  a 
high  degree,  especially  in  small  circles.  He  was  at  times  rather 
inclined  to  taciturnity;  but  when  he  fell  into  such  company  as 
seemed  to  furnish  him  an  opportunity  of  doing  good  or  of  afford- 
ing pleasure  to  others,  few  men  excelled  him  in  edifying  and 
agreeable  conversation.  He  was  particularly  pleasant  as  a  travel  - 
ing  companion.  A  leading  member  of  his  church,  who  frequently 
traveled  with  him  on  long  journeys,  has  often  said:  "The  better 
you  know  him  the  better  you  will  like  him."  That  character 
seems  to  have  a  fair  claim  for  goodness  which  grows  in  our  esti- 
mation as  our  acquaintance  increases. 

With  these  admirable  traits  of  character,  Mr.  Straughan  was 
one  of  the  most  modest,  unassuming  men  that  ever  lived.  He- 
literally  esteemed  others  better  than  himself;  was  always  ready  to 
take  the  lowest  seat;  and  when  invited  to  go  up  higher  ever 
seemed  reluctant  to  do  so. 

In  the  several  relations  of  social  life  he  acted  the  most  exemplary 
and  spotless  part.  As  husband  and  father,  master,  friend,  and 
neighbor,  he  pursued  his  various  duties  with  undeviating  atten- 
tion. His  labors,  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  were  considered  para- 
mount to  every  other  duty ;  but  when  these  did  not  demand  his 
attention,  he  was  as  assiduous  to  the  calls  of  domestic  life  as  could 
be  required  by  reason  or  prompted  by  the  most  tender  affection. 


SAMUEL   L.  STRAUGHAN.  4I7 

In  every  place  and  in  every  relation  he  still  carried  with  him  a 
holy  unction,  so  that,  whatever  he  did,  either  in  word  or  deed,  at 
home  or  abroad,  he  did  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  giving 
thanks  to  God  in  all  things. 

It  is  hard  to  say  whether  his  singular  piety  shone  most  in  his 
modesty  and  meekness  when  lifted  by  prosperity  and  popular 
applause,  or  in  his  patience  and  resignation  when  brought  down 
by  adversity  and  affliction.  He  had  certainly  learned,  and  learned 
well,  too,  both  how  to  abound  and  how  to  be  abased.  Too  much 
can  hardly  be  said  of  his  piety  and  godliness.  He  should  be 
placed  among  the  foremost  in  the  foremost  rank.  He  was,  in  the 
Scripture  sense  of  the  phrase,  "a  perfect  and  upright  man."  His 
zeal,  meekness,  and  patience,  his  temperance,  charity,  and  faith, 
and  indeed  every  Christian  grace  shone  so  brightly,  that  his  inti- 
mate friends  could  not  agree  which  of  them  was  most  conspicuous. 

After  all,  we  do  not  wish  it  to  be  understood  that  we  consider 
our  departed  brother  as  one  who  had  no  spiritual  infirmities  to 
lament.  This  was  not  the  case.  He  whom  grace  had  made  ac- 
quainted with  himself  and  with  the  purity  of  God's  law,  knew 
his  own  defects  and  mourned  over  them.  He  lamented  his  infir- 
mities, and  looked  for  deliverance  to  that  state  which  he  has  now 
attained — the  state  of  "the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect." 
May  all  who  read  these  memoirs  be  excited  to  zeal  and  perse- 
verance, in  running  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  them. 

In  addition  to  what  is  said  above  by  Mr.  Semple,  we  may  add  that 
the  lamented  Straughan  took  lofty  views  of  the  responsibihty  of 
a  Christian  minister.  He  considered  him  as  deriving  his  authority 
to  preach  from  Jesus  Christ;  not,  indeed,  miraculously,  but  still 
really  from  Christ.  Mere  impressions  were  not,  with  him,  a  suffi- 
cient guarantee  that  a  man  was  called  to  preach.  He  indulges  in 
the  following  reflections  on  the  subject : — 

"  There  can  be  no  Christian  who  feels  not  more  or  less  con-, 
cerned  for  the  salvation  of  sinners.  But  this  is  not  all  that  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel  ought  to  feel.  We  are  inclined  to  think  that 
some  good-meaning  men,  who  have  felt  these  exercises,  may  have 
mistaken  them  for  a  call  to  preach  the  gospel ;  and  without  pro- 
perly  considering  the  nature  and  importance  of  the  work,  have 
begun   to   preach,  and    then,  ascertaining  their   mistake,  have 

VOL.  I.  2  b 


418  PEYTON  NEWMAN. 

desisted ;  while  others  have  continued,  rather  to  the  disadvantage 
of  the  cause  of  Christ. 

"Preachers  of  the  gospel  must  not  only  have  a  sense  of  the 
fallen,  guilty  state  of  man,  and  the  way  of  recovery  through  Christ, 
but  must  have  a  dispensation  of  the  gospel  committed  to  them. 
Those  who  have  this  treasure  committed  unto  them,  have  a  deep 
sense  of  their  own  inadequacy  to  perform  so  great  a  work,  and 
notwithstanding  their  ardent  desire  to  glorify  Grod  and  benefit 
mankind,  have,  at  first,  raised  objections  to  excuse  themselves,  as 
Moses  and  Jeremiah  did,  and  to  say,  with  Paul,  '  who  is  sufficient 
for  these  things  ?'  But  the  authoritative  command  of  God  lying 
upon  their  minds,  makes  them  say  again,  notwithstanding  these 
difficulties,  'Woe  is  me,  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel!"- 


PEYTON    NEWMAK* 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  of  Irish  parents,  December 
24th,  1760.  He  enjoyed  none  of  those  advantages  of  education 
which  have  advanced  men  of  inferior  minds  to  places  of  distinc- 
tion in  the  literaiy  world.  In  early  life  he  was  addicted  to  occa- 
sional gambling,  and  participated,  though  to  a  limited  extent,  in 
the  train  of  vices  which  are  almost  invariably  the  attendants  of 
that  highly  pernicious  habit. 

From  Henry,  he  removed  to  Stokes  County,  North  Carolina, 
where  he  was  awakened,  under  the  preaching  of  Emanuel  Hill, 
and  subsequently  became  a  member  of  Clearspring  Church.  But 
little  appears  now  to  be  known  of  his  ministry,  until  after  his 
removal,  in  1806,  to  Big  Sandy  Ptiver,  Kanawha,  now  Cabell 
County.  In  the  vicinity  of  his  new  residence  he  continued  his 
ministerial  labors,  not  only  with  acceptance  but  with  profit. 
The  time  of  his  ordination  does  not  appear  to  be  known,  but  it 
was  some  time  previous  to  the  year  1814,  and  was  conducted  by 

*  By  Elder  William  C.  Ligon. 


RICHARD   DABBS.  419 

Elders  Jolin  Alderson,  George  Gutliery,  and  John  Young.  He 
was  the  stated  pastor  of  Big  Sandy  Church,  which  was  proba- 
bly brought  into  existence  through  his  instrumentality.  When 
the  convention  met  to  form  the  Teay's  Yalley  Association,  Elder 
Newman  was  reported  as  one  of  the  delegation  from  Big  Sandy 
Church.  His  labors  appear  to  have  been  confined  within  the 
limits  of  that  Association  until  August,  1822,  at  which  time,  it 
is  confidently  believed  by  those  who  knew  him  best,  he  died  the 
death  of  the  righteous.  Although  the  materials  which  can  now 
be  collected  to  form  a  history  of  the  life  and  labors  of  Elder 
Newman  furnish  but  little  in  detail,  much  may  be  collected  to 
justify  our  saying  of  him,  as  Luke  said  of  Barnabas,-  "  He  was  a 
good  man." 


RICHARD    DABBS. 

The  name  of  Richard  Dabbs  has  been  very  extensively  and 
favorably  known,  throughout  Yirginia  and  North  Carolina,  as  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.  He  became  pious  in  early  life,  but  did 
not  enter  the  ministry  until  several  years  after  his  conversion. 
He  was  among  the  number  who  formed  Ash  Camp  Church, 
Charlotte  County,  at  its  constitution  in  1803.  When  their  pas- 
tor, Elder  Henry  Lester,  removed  to  the  West,  in  1808,  they  pro- 
cured his  services,  and  were  by  him  regularly  supplied  for  some 
time.  The  churches  also  of  Mossingford  and  Staunton  River 
enjoyed,  for  many  years,  his  ministerial  labors.  In  these  various 
stations  he  was,  to  considerable  extent,  useful. 

It  was  not  in  the  performance  of  pastoral  duties  that  he  was 
thought  to  excel.  It  is  true  his  views  of  church  dicipline  were 
scriptural ;  for,  in  a  circular  letter  prepared  by  him  for  the  Appa- 
mattox  Association,  he  makes  many  judicious  observations  on 
that  subject.  But  his  sentiments  were  not  wholly  carried  into 
practice  under  his  administration.  When  he  resigned  the  care 
of  his  churches,  for  the  purpose  of  removing  to  the  West,  he  left 


420  KICHARD   DABBS. 

them  in  a  rather  enfeebled  state.  They  had  been  trained  to  little 
or  no  systematic  exertion  to  extend  the  influence  of  truth  and 
righteousness,  and  consequently  they  were  an  inefficient  people. 
But  this  is  not  all :  under  the  influence  of  a  lax  discipline,  disor- 
ders were  allowed  to  exist,  which  materially  injured  the  cause  of 
Christ.  Their  pastor  was  not  in  the  habit  of  watching  over  them 
with  the  determination  to  correct  abuses  and  impartially  to  pre- 
serve purity  of  Christian  character.  "No  pastor  can,  to  any 
extent,  be  successful  who  does  not  determine  that  a  rigid,  whole- 
some discipline  be  maintained  in  the  church.  So  varied  are  the 
dispositions  of  those  who  name  the  name  of  Christ,  and  so  nume- 
rous the  temptations  to  which  they  are  exposed,  that  the  utmost 
vigilance,  firmness,  and  discretion  will  be  required  in  one  who  pre- 
sides over  them  as  their  spiritual  shepherd. 

While  Elder  Dabbs  did  not  possess,  in  eminent  measure,  the 
requisites  of  a  skillful  pastor,  it  ought  in  justice  to  be  stated,  that 
it  was  in  all  probability  the  result  of  peculiar  devotion  to  itine- 
rant labor.  He  was  not  an  indolent  man,  nor  was  he  absorbed 
in  secular  pursuits.  He  consecrated  his  undivided  time  and  ener- 
gies to  the  ministry.  Had  he  remained  at  home  among  his  own 
people,  and  given  himself  wholly  to  the  duties  of  the  pastoral 
vocation,  and  had  his  mind  been  relieved  from  the  care  of  main- 
taining his  family,  it  is  probable  he  would  have  excelled  in  this 
department  of  usefulness. 

As  already  hinted,  Mr.  Dabbs  was  much  devoted  to  the  work 
of  an  itinerant.  He  dehghted  to  visit  associational  and  other 
large  meetings  of  his  brethren  in  Christ,  and,  when  among  them, 
contributed  not  a  little  to  their  edification  and  comfort.  His  ex- 
cursions were  very  numerous  and  extensive ;  and,  while  abroad, 
his  time  was  well  occupied.  He  scarcely  ever  traveled  without 
preaching  at  least  once  every  day.  He  was  in  the  habit,  too,  of 
visiting  those  parts  of  the  country  where  Baptist  churches  had 
not  been  constituted,  or  where  they  were  feeble  and  declining. 
Thus  portions  of  the  truth  which  seldom  fell  upon  the  ear  of  the 
people  were  faithfully  dispensed,  and  frequently  with  good  effect. 
Among  the  happy  results  of  these  efforts  may  be  mentioned  the 
origin  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Petersburg.  It  was  mostly 
through  his  influence  that  the  few  Baptists  in  that  place  were 


RICHAKD  DABBS.  421 

induced  to  unite  under  a  regular  constitution,  and  to  make  exer- 
tions for  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship.  He  consented 
regularly  to  supply  them  as  their  pastor,  though  he  did  not  long 
continue  to  serve  them.  He  was  for  some  time  engaged  in 
collecting  funds  for  the  meeting-house,  and  was  to  a  considerable 
extent  successful.  About  this  time,  also,  he  accepted  the  invita- 
tion of  the  Portsmouth  Missionary  Society  to  labor  as  their  mis- 
sionary within  the  limits  of  the  Portsmouth  Association. 

During  the  year  1820  he  was  employed  one-fourth  of  his  time 
in  •  assisting  to  supply  with  preaching  the  church  in  Lynchburg. 
His  ministry  there  was  very  popular,  although  it  is  not  known 
that  many,  through  his  instrumentality,  were  added  to  the  church. 
He  did  not  remain  sufficiently  long  to  accomplish  any  permanent 
good.  It  has  already  been  remarked  that  he  was  fond  of  itine- 
rating ;  and  there  is  reason  to  believe,  while  he  accomplished  much 
good  in  this  way,  he  was  less  useful  in  those  places  where  he 
engaged  regularly  to  labor. 

Elder  Dabbs's  views  of  trutl^were  consonant  with  those  of  the 
great  body  of  the  denomination.  In  his  pulpit  exhibitions,  he 
manifested  a  partiality  for  what  has  been  called  the  spiritualizing 
system;  frequently  selecting,  as  the  basis  of  his  discourses,  some 
passage  from  the  Songs  of  Solomon.  Although  he  often  dis- 
played much  tact  and  ingenuity,  there  is  reason  to  apprehend 
that,  in  those  allegorical  disquisitions,  there  was  more  of  the 
showy  and  curious  than  solid  and  useful.  While  the  wonder  and 
admiration  of  an  auditory  may  be  excited  at  these  specimens  of 
skill  in  finding  a  spiritual  meaning  to  every  fact  and  incident  in 
the  sacred  history,  much  serious  injury  may  be  the  ultimate  result. 
It  tends  to  produce  the  impression  that  the  Bible  is  a  book  of 
riddles,  and  in  surveying  its  pages  the  simple  obvious  meaning  is 
liable  to  be  overlooked,  while  something  mysterious  is  made  the 
object  of  anxious  search. 

It  must  not  be  understood,  from  these  observations,  that  the 
subject  of  this  memoir  preached  no  other  than  metaphorical  ser- 
mons, or  that  he  condescended  to  all  the  ridiculous  absurdities 
which  have  characterized  some  preachers  of  this  stamp.  On  the 
contrary,  it  may  be  said  in  truth,  that  many  of  his  public  addresses 
were  clear  and  faithful  exhibitions  of  gospel  truth.    It  ought  also 

VOL.  I.  36 


422  RICHARD  DABES. 

to  be  stated  that  his  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  exceedingly  fasci- 
nating. With  a  musical  voice  and  happy  faculty  of  illustration, 
he  rarely,  if  ever,  addressed  a  listless  congregation. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  traits  of  Elder  Dabbs's  character 
was  his  concern  to  be  useful  to  those  around  him.  He  did  not 
often  neglect  an  opportunity  of  conversing  with  the  unconverted 
in  the  social  circle.  He  would  sometimes  relate  an  appropriate 
anecdote,  or  repeat  a  solemn  passage  of  Scripture,  and  close  his 
remarks  by  an  affectionate  exhortation.  In  these  personal  appeals 
he  was  remarkably  felicitous  in  the  selection  of  suitable  seasons 
and  topics  of  remark.  Often  having  addressed  a  word  of  warn- 
ing or  invitation  to  a  careless  friend,  he  would  sing  some  suitable 
hymn,  which,  in  connection  with  the  conversation,  would  produce 
the  most  solemn  effect.  Many  now  living  can  bear  testimony  to 
the  happy  influence  of  these  appeals.  This  is  one  method  by 
which  a  minister  may  be  exceedingly  useful.  In  his  daily  inter- 
course with  men,  numerous  opportunities  are  furnished  for  the  re- 
commendation of  the  truth  of  Go^.  While  in  public,  Christ  and 
him  crucified  are  to  be  preached,  and  all  the  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  the  Bible  enforced,  and  while  in  these,  the  appropriate 
duties  of  the  ministry,  success  may  be  expected.  There  is  also  an 
inviting  field  of  action  opened  in  the  social  circle.  Here  an  ac- 
quaintance with  individual  character  may  be  obtained.  An  as- 
certainment of  peculiar  disposition  and  habit  may  be  made. 
Honest  objections  may  be  satisfactorily  answered,  while  the  cavil- 
ing of  the  presumptuous  sinner  may  be  met  and  resisted. 

Perhaps  in  no  other  department  of  his  vocation  should  the 
Christian  minister  more  constantly  study  to  show  himself  ap- 
proved. The  colloquial  powers  should  be  cultivated.  In  all 
attempts  at  the  special  enforcement  of  religious  truth,  an  affec- 
tionate spirit  and  manner  should  be  maintained.  It  will  require 
also  much  practical  wisdom  in  the  selection  of  suitable  times  and 
circumstances  for  engaging  in  this  work. 

It  has  been  thought  by  some  that  Elder  Dabbs  manifested  too 
much  disposition  to  make  proselytes  to  the  denomination  with 
which  he  was  connected.  But  it  is  questionable  whether  this 
opinion  had  any  foundation  in  fact.  If  a  Baptist  minister  is  more 
solicitous  to  convert  a  Pedobaptist  to  his  own  practice  than  to 


EICHARD  DABBS.  423 

bring  a  sinner  to  Christ,  lie  unquestionably  acts  below  the  dignity 
of  his  character 'and  office.  But  while  his  great  business  consists 
in  leading  men  to  God,  it  is  his  imperative  duty  to  teach  converts 
to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  Christ  has  commanded.  He 
ought  to  be  desirous  that  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  as  taught  and 
practiced  in  primitive  times,  should  be  observed  by  every  believer. 
While  it  would  be  unwise  to  refer  to  this  subject  in  every  dis- 
course, he  should  be  careful  to  allow  it  a  due  proportion  in  his 
public  ministration.  This  he  should  do  regardless  of  the  frowns 
or  derisions  of  those  around  him.  The  same  may  be  said  in  re- 
gard to  any  neglected  duty.  As  Elder  Dabbs  extended  his  labors 
over  a  wide  surface  of  country,  and  frequently  addressed  his 
brethren  of  other  denominations,  he  did  not  hesitate  faithfully 
and  affectionately  to  warn  them  against  the  sin  of  neglecting  a 
positive  and  significant  institution  of  their  Lord  and  Master.  Nor 
were  his  efforts  in  this  respect  vain.  He  had  the  pleasure  of  see- 
ing many  yield  obedience  to  a  long-neglected  command.  It  is  to 
be  regretted  that  there  was  so  much  looseness  in  admitting  per- 
sons, to  baptism.  Wherever  he  could  find  a  person  ready  to  be 
baptized,  even  though  in  the  vicinity  of  a  Baptist  church,  he 
would  perform  the  ordinance,  and  leave  the  individual  either  to 
remain  in  a  Pedobaptist  church  or  in  the  world.  This  practice 
was  undoubtedly  wrong. 

It  would  not  be  improper  here  to  introduce  a  brief  reference  to 
this  servant  of  Christ,  from  Mr.  Semple's  History  :  "  Since  he 
commenced  the  ministry,"  says  the  historian,  "few  persons  have 
risen  into  notice  as  rapidly  as  he.  And,  at  present,  in  point  of 
popularity,  as  a  preacher,  certainly  none  in  those  parts  surpass 
him,  if  any  can  be  said  to  equal  him.  He  is  surely  the  most  in- 
defatigable of  preachers.  He  travels  almost  incessantly;  and  is 
thought  by  some  of  his  intimate  friends,  for  some  years  past,  to 
have  preached  more  sermons  than  there  are  days  in  the  year.  Ho 
does  not  preach  in  vain.  There  are  seals  to  his  ministry  where- 
ever  he  goes.  His  talents  do  not  consist  in  deep  investigation 
or  close  reasoning  ;  not  in  full  and  fair  explanations  of  mysterious 
texts  of  Scripture,  or  of  abstruse  points  of  divinity.  He  says 
clever  things,  and  he  says  them  in  a  winning  manner.  Besides, 
his  voice  is  harmonious,  his  person  agreeable ;  and  his  manners, 


424  FRANCIS   MOOUE. 

both  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit,  affectionate  and  pleasing.  He 
sings  well,  and  is  fond  of  it.  His  exhortations  are  warm  and 
pathetic.  With  all  these  advantages,  it  would  not  indeed  be 
strange  if  Mr.  Dabbs's  talents  were  somewhat  overrated  by  many. 
Be  that  as  it  may.  Unquestionably,  such  gifts  as  he  really  pos- 
sesses he  improves  to  the  greatest  possible  advantage ;  and  if  he 
should  not  become  biased  by  excessive  popularity,  nor  be  weary 
in  well-doing,  he  will  reap  a  plenteous  harvest  in  that  day." 

This  harvest  there  is  reason  to  believe  he  is  now  reaping. 
Having  removed  to  Tennessee  in  the  year  1821  or  1822,  he  became 
the  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Nashville,  He  was  ill  for 
many  months  before  his  death,  and  during  his  confinement  gave 
evidence  that  he  was  ready  to  bear  as  well  as  to  do  his  Father's 
will.  He  died  on  the  21st  of  May,  1825,  in  full  assurance  of  a 
blessed  immortality. 


FRANCIS    MOORE. 


It  is  a  pleasing  task  to  refer  to  the  life  of  him  whose  name 
stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He  could  not  be  said  to  belong 
to  that  class  of  men  who  labored  as  pioneers  in  extending  the 
triumphs  of  truth  and  righteousness  in  Virginia,  nor  was  he, 
strictly  speaking,  identified  with  the  present  race  of  "Virginia  Bap- 
tist ministers.  He  was  one  of  those  endeared  names  who  might 
be  considered  as  connecting  links  between  the  early  fathers  of  our 
State  and  the  present  generation.  Francis  Moore  was  the  son 
of  Elder  Jeremiah  Moore,  one  of  the  most  laborious  and  useful 
preachers  of  the  eighteenth  century.  He  was  born  in  Fairfax 
County,  September  18th,  1166.  At  an  early  age  the  grace  of 
God  was  manifest  in  his  conversion ;  he  was  baptized  by  Elder 
David  Thomas.  Immediately  he  began  to  preach  a  crucified 
Saviour,  and  after  a  sufficient  trial  of  his  qualifications,  was  or- 
dained at  Zoar,  in  the  County  of  Jefferson. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  IT 9 2,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  a 
lady  of  high  respectability,  in  Montgomery  County,  Maryland. 


FRANCIS  MOORE  425 

After  this  event  he  removed  and  settled  permanently  near  Har- 
per's Ferry,  in  the  County  of  Jefferson,  "Virginia. 

In  referring  to  the  labors  of  Elder  Moore,  it  may  be  stated 
that  during  most  of  his  ministerial  career  he  regularly  served 
three  or  four  churches.  He  was  the  pastor  of  Pleasant  Yalley, 
in  Maryland,  and  of  another  church  in  Montgomery  County  of 
the  same  State.  He  was  also  pastor  of  Zoar  Church,  in  Jeffer- 
son, Yirginia,  and  of  Ebenezer,  in  Loudon  County.  For  limited 
periods,  and  at  different  times,  he  also  supplied  other  portions  of 
the  Lord's  vineyard.  Being  a  man  of  industrious  habits,  he 
applied  himself  diligently  to  the  work  of  his  Master  both  as  a 
pastor  and  an  evangelist.  Few  men  of  his  day  were  better 
qualified  to  exercise  an  extended  influence,  and  perhaps  no  Bap- 
tist minister  of  Northern  Virginia  was  more  universally  admired 
and  beloved.  Nature  had  done  much  for  him  in  mental  endow- 
ment, and  his  powers  of  mind  had  been  improved  by  a  good 
English  education. 

Of  a  social  disposition  and  agreeable  manners,  he  endeared  him- 
self to  all  those  with  whom  he  became  acquainted.  In  the  pulpit 
the  attention  of  his  hearers  was  engaged  by  simplicity  and  clear- 
ness of  style,  as  well  as  an  easy  and  persuasive  elocution.  His 
discourses  were  usually  doctrinal,  and  in  the  treatment  of  contro- 
verted points  he  contended  earnestly,  while  he  avoided  that  reck- 
less vituperation  by  which  too  many  polemics  are  distinguished. 
He  was  a  great  admirer  of  Dr.  Gill,  and  considered  the  sentiments 
usually  denominated  Calvinistic  as  clearly  taught  in  the  Sacred 
Scriptures.  But  his  character  had  been  shaped  in  the  gospel 
mould,  and  he  could  therefore  most  cordially  love  all  who  love  the 
image  of  the  Saviour,  although  in  some  particulars  they  might 
differ  from  him  in  opinion. 

Although  he  was  removed  from  his  earthly  labors  before  a  sepa- 
ration had  taken  place  between  those  who  style  themselves  "Re- 
formers" and  the  Baptists,  he  frequently  expressed  the  confident 
belief  that  it  would  become  necessary.  At  a  very  early  period  of 
Mr.  A.  Campbell's  career  he  saw  that  there  was  reason  to  appre- 
hend a  fearful  turning  away  from  the  truth.  On  one  occasion,  in 
1824,  a  friend,  now  living,  heard  him  say:  "Many  of  the  Baptist 
denomination  are  preparing  to  receive  the  most  baneful  heresies, 

36* 


426  FRANCIS   MOORE. 

as  Mr.  C.  has  commenced  a  crusade  against  benevolent  operations, 
and  by  the  ridicule  he  is  casting  upon  these  efforts,  he  will  induce 
many  to  follow  him  upon  that  ground;  and  having  thus  gained 
their  confidence,  a  favorable  opportunity  will  be  furnished  to  lead 
them  into  the  most  dangerous  errors.  He  has  commenced  a  voy- 
age on  the  ocean  of  speculation  without  helm  or  compass,  and 
many  will  follow  him  to  their  sorrow.  I  think,"  added  he,  "there 
is  a  desire  on  his  part  to  be  the  inventor  of  new  things ;  but  mark 
it,  he  will  revive  some  old  exploded  errors."  He  frequently 
warned  his  brethren  against  this  system,  and  urged  them  to  betake 
themselves  to  the  more  diligent  and  prayerful  perusal  of  the 
sacred  volume. 

The  cause  of  education  found  in  Mr.  Moore  a  liberal  patron ; 
his  contributions  were  frequently  bestowed  to  aid  in  building  up 
the  Columbian  College.  He  was  also  a  warm  friend  of  missions. 
A  sermon  preached  by  him  in  1828,  at  Zoar,  on  the  importance 
of  zealous  efforts  to  spread  the  gospel  throughout  the  world,  will 
long  be  remembered  by  many.  He  not  only  recoiiNnended  this 
good  cause  to  others,  but  was  himself  a  frequent  contributor.  He 
solemnly  believed  it  to  be  the  purpose  of  God,  that  the  light  of  the 
gospel  should  shine  upon  the  whole  earth,  and  therefore  felt  it  his 
duty  to  labor  as  an  instrument  in  promoting  this  glorious  design. 
The  following  remarks  on  this  subject,  from  his  pen,  will  illustrate  his 
views.  He  says  :  "  If  the  wicked  one  designs  some  special  mischief 
to  the  church  of  Christ,  he  adopts  means  most  likely  to  accom- 
plish his  ends.  When  ecclesiastical  establishments  will  enable  him 
to  torment  the  saints,  kings  and  emperors  must  march  in  front, 
inquisitions,  with  fire  and  sword,  fill  up  the  train.  But  now,  the 
powers  of  darkness  may  pause.  Superstition  and  bigotry  have  to 
recede ;  the  Bible  is  disseminated  abroad ;  the  excellent  Carey  and 
Judson,  with  their  brethren  in  the  East,  are  holding  forth  the  Word 
of  Life,  yea,  many  are  engaged  in  this  noble  work ;  the  Bible  is 
spreading  far  and  wide,  and  ere  long  will  be  translated  into  every 
tongue,  so  that,  from  the  prince  in  his  palace  to  the  Indian  in  his 
wigwam,  all  may  read,  as  on  the  Day  of  Pentecost,  in  their  own 
language,  of  the  great  salvation.  What,  oh  what,  says  Satan, 
must  be  done  to  preserve  our  kingdom  now  in  danger?  The 
answer  is  at  hand.     If  possible,  establish  a  union  between  the 


FRANCIS  MOORE.  42t 

church,  of  Christ  and  the  world;  this  produced  wonders  when 
effected  by  force  of  arms ;  how  much  more  will  it  advance  the 
views  of  his  satanic  majesty  if  it  can  only  be  effected  by  common 
consent !" 

In  1827  he  was  one  of  the  instruments  of  originating  a  Domestic 
Mission  Society  in  the  Ketocton  Association,  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  destitute  portions  of  that  region  with  the  preached 
"Word.  Its  constitution  was  prepared  by  himself,  and  is  very 
similar  to  that  of  the  General  Association  Auxiliary  Society, 
being  entitled  to  representation  in  proportion  to  the  amount  con- 
tributed, and  individuals  to  a  seat  by  the  payment  of  two  dollars. 

We  now  approach  the  hour  of  his  dismissal  from  this  world. 
On  February  15,  1831,  the  slender  thread  of  existence  was  sud- 
denly broken  by  an  attack  of  apoplexy,  which  some  months  before 
had  threatened  him.  In  October,  1830,  he  returned  home  from 
the  ordination  of  P.  Klipstene,  at  Mill  Creek  Church ;  while  sit- 
ting in  his  chair  at  supper  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  an  unu- 
sual sensation,  under  which  he  labored  a  few  days,  accompanied 
with  great  debility ;  but  was  eventually  restored  to  strength  and 
usefulness,  and  permitted  a  little  longer  to  stand  as  on  the  margin 
of  the  tomb,  and  privileged  a  few  more  times  to  sound  the  gospel 
trumpet.  On  Saturday  previous  to  his  death  he  went  to  Mr. 
Robert  Classet's,  under  whose  hospitable  roof  he  had  frequently 
tarried  the  nights  prior  to  his  fulfilling  his  monthly  appointment 
in  Pleasant  Valley.  He  was  during  the  evening  in  usual  health 
and  spirits,  and  very  fervent  in  his  devotion  at  the  family  altar, 
after  which  he  retired  to  his  room  with  two  of  the  young  Mr. 
Classets.  In  the  night  he  arose,  lifted  the  window  and  lowered 
it  again ;  he  then  laid  down,  and  in  a  few  minutes  began  to  moan 
as  if  under  great  oppression,  but  as  he  said  nothing,  nothing  was 
spoken  to  him.  Not  rising  at  his  usual  early  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing, Mr,  Classet  went  to  inform  him  that  breakfast  was  ready,  but 
received  no  answer,  and  upon  approaching  his  bed  found  vitality 
was  fast  retiring  from  its  citadel  and  the  organ  of  speech  forever  un- 
tuned. His  amiable  wife,  who  was  immediately  sent  for,  just  arrived 
in  time  to  see  him  expire.  She  approached  him  scarcely  noticed; 
he  was  unable  even  to  whisper  a  last  adieu.  He  remained  nearly 
in  the  same  situation  until  Tuesday  morning  about  six  o'clock, 


428  JACOB  GREGG. 

when  his  disembodied  spirit  took  its  flight  to  the  shores  of  a  bliss- 
ful immortality,  where  the  inhabitants  shall  no  more  say  I  am  sick. 
On  Wednesday  morning,  the  15th,  his  remains,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  children  and  sorrowing  friends,  were  conveyed  to 
Virginia  and  deposited  in  the  silent  toinb. 


JACOB   GREGG. 


His  name  is  familiar  to  many  Baptists  in  North  America,  and 
especially  to  the  churches  of  Yirginia.  He  was  an  Englishman 
by  birth,  and  continued  in  his  native  land  until  he  had  risen  to 
manhood.  When  very  young  he  professed  religion  by  uniting 
with  a  Baptist  church,  and  soon  commenced  the  ministry.  After 
he  began  to  preach  he  was  induced  to  enter  the  Bristol  Baptist 
Academy,  and  there  prosecuted  a  limited  course  of  study.  "Very 
soon  after  he  left  the  institution  he  received  an  appointment  from 
some  society  as  a  missionary  to  Sierra  Leone,  on  the  coast  of 
Africa.  This  station  he  did  not  long  retain ;  for  having  some 
misunderstanding  with  the  governor  of  the  colony,  he  determined 
to  settle  in  America. 

Having  arrived  at  ISTorfolk,  he  served  at  different  times  the 
church  in  that  borough,  and  the  churches  at  Portsmouth  and  Upper 
Bridge.  While  in  that  region  he  married  a  Miss  Goodwin.  In 
a  few  years  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  became  the  pastor  of  a 
flourishing  Baptist  church.  But  this  State  he  soon  left  and 
visited  Ohio,  there  remaining  but  for  a  short  period.  In  1808  or 
1809  he  returned  to  Virginia,  on  a  visit  to  his  wife's  parents,  who 
were  residing  in  Richmond.  At  their  earnest  solicitude  he  con- 
sented to  remain  in  Richmond  and  open  a  school,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  several  years.  During  this  period  he  was  generally 
employed  in  preaching,  either  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  or  for  the 
Pirst  Church,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  John  Court- 
ney. In  the  capacity  of  a  teacher  he  was  highly  approved,  having 
a  large  number  of  youth  under  his  direction.  His  acquaintance 
with  the  Latin  and  Greek  was  not  very  thorough,  but  he  was 


JACOB  GREGG.  429 

considered  an  excellent  scholar  in  all  the  branches  of  English 
literature.  His  readiness  in  communicating  instruction,  and  the 
aptness  of  his  illustrations,  rendered  him  exceedingly  popular  with 
the  young. 

During  his  residence  in  Richmond  it  became  apparent  to  his 
intimate  friends  and  brethren,  much  to  their  grief,  that  he  was  in 
the  habit  of  using  too  freely  the  intoxicating  draught.  How 
mournful  the  fact,  that,  with  his  capacity  for  usefulness  in  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  the  best  of  his  life  should  have  been  yielded 
to  the  gratification  of  this  vile  appetite  !  When  by  some  of  his 
brethren  his  fault  was  faithfully  exposed  to  his  view,  he  confessed 
his  guilt,  seemed  deeply  penitent,  and  promised  amendment.  As, 
however,  he  did  not  utterly  abandon  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors, 
he  was  afterwards,  in  several  instances,  overtaken  by  the  same 
vice.  In  the  year  1816  or  1817,  he  left  Richmond,  and  remained 
some  time  in  Philadelphia  and  its  vicinity.  During  this  period  he 
was  chosen  to  the  pastoral  oversight  of  Market  Street  Baptist 
Church,  in  Philadelphia.  Subsequently  he  settled  in  Virginia,  and 
was  employed  sometimes  in  the  instruction  of  youth,  but,  toward 
the  close  of  life,  mostly  in  preaching  as  an  itinerant.  There  are 
not  many  men  whose  lives  have  been  more  subject  to  vicissitude 
than  his,  especially  in  regard  to  location.  As  will  appear  from 
the  rapid  survey  already  taken,  he  remained  but  a  short  period  in 
any  one  place,  and  therefore  did  not  exercise  the  ministerial 
function  in  particular  churches  sufficiently  long  to  create  a  perma- 
nent influence. 

In  referring  to  the  talents  of  Elder  Gregg  it  will  not  be  a 
departure  from  the  truth  to  represent  him  as  possessing  extraor- 
dinary powers  of  mind.  Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  trait  in 
his  intellectual  character  was  a  tenacious  memory.  This  formed 
the  foundation  of  all  his  greatness.  While  he  remembered  almost 
everything  he  ever  read,  he  possessed  a  peculiar  aptness  in  select- 
ing and  arranghig,  from  his  ample  stores  of  knowledge,  as  circum- 
stances might  render  necessary.  As  an  evidence  of  the  retentive- 
ness  of  his  memory,  it  is  said  that  while  on  the  ocean,  after  he 
left  his  native  land,  he  memorized  the  Old  and  I^ew  Testaments, 
with  the  whole  of  Watts's  Psalms.  During  his  whole  future  life, 
he  was  able  to  repeat  at  pleasure  entire  chaptei's  and  hymns. 


430  JACOB  GREGG. 

Yerj  frequently,  in  conducting  family  worship,  instead  of  calling 
for  the  books  or  using  them  when  brought,  he  would  commence 
and  go  through  lengthy  portions  from  the  Bible,  and  line  out  the 
words  of  a  hymn,  with  perfect  accuracy.  In  his  sermons  he  some- 
times introduced  lengthy  quotations  from  the  sacred  writings 
without  referring  to  the  volume  before  him. 

His  illustrations  in  the  pulpit  were  usually  apposite  and  forcible, 
and  his  style,  while  it  was  simple  and  chaste,  was  remarkable  for 
its  copiousness.  He  was  an  excellent  sermonizer.  The  natural 
fertility  of  his  mind  and  his  extensive  information  pre-eminently 
qualified  him  for  the  pulpit.  There  was  sometimes  too  much 
division  in  his  discourses,  and  perhaps  a  disposition  to  make 
portions  of  the  Bible  teach  what  they  never  intended  to  inculcate. 
He  was  peculiarly  fond  of  seizing  some  historical  incident  recorded 
in  the  sacred  volume  and  making  it  the  basis  of  a  discourse.  At 
other  times  he  would  indulge  in  the  spiritualizing  vein,  and,  with 
peculiar  ingenuity,  often  to  the  amusement  of  his  auditors,  endea- 
vor to  elucidate  some  dark  and  mysterious  passage,  or  deduce 
doctrinal  truth  from  the  fragment  of  a  verse.  The  writer  has  in 
possession  a  curious  skeleton  of  a  sermon  founded  on  the  clause, 
"0  wheel!"  His  sermons,  however,  were  generally  judicious  and 
highly  instractive.  While  thus  much  may  be  said  respecting  his 
talents  as  a  preacher,  he  indicated  but  little  judgment  in  the 
common  affairs  of  life.  There  was  possessed  a  small  measure  of 
what  is  usually  denominated  common  sense ;  in  the  management 
of  his  own  pecuniary  and  domestic  matters  he  was  a  mere  child, 
and  in  mingling  in  the  social  circle  there  was  seen  but  little  regard 
to  the  courtesies  of  life.  He  was  rather  awkward  in  his  address, 
excepting  with  a  few  intimate  friends,  and  then  as  a  companion 
he  was  peculiarly  interesting.  His  colloquial  powers  in  such  a 
circle  were  excellent. 

In  sentiment  he  was  strongly  Calvinistic.  A  superior  sermon 
on  predestination,  delivered  before  the  Dover  Association,  was, 
at  their  request,  printed.  About  the  same  period  a  circular 
letter  on  the  subject  of  close  communion  was  published,  and  excited 
considerable  regard. 

For  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  was  a  warm  friend  of  the 
temperance  cause,  having  himself  abstained  entirely  from  tlie  use 


JACOB  GSEGG.  431 

of  ardent  spirits.  His  standing,  too,  among  his  brethren,  was 
entirely  regained,  although  as  a  preacher,  with  men  generally,  he 
was  far  from  being  regarded  as  in  former  days.  How  dangerous 
for  ministers  to  parley  with  temptation  I  How  disastrous  the 
effects  of  their  sin  when  they  fall  1  Elder  Gregg  died  in  Sussex 
County,  after  a  few  days'  illness,  in  1836. 

We  subjoin  two  or  three  passages  from  his  sermon  on  Predes- 
tination, as  illustrative  of  his  views  and  of  his  style : — 

"The  Apostle  expresses  his  comfortable  assurance,  'that  all 
things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them 
who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose.'  By  the  term  pur- 
pose, counsel,  pleasure,  or  decree,  we  are  frequently  to  understand 
the  whole  plan  of  operation  adopted  by  the  Almighty — compre- 
hending the  great  design  he  has  in  view  in  creation,  providence, 
and  redemption.  Would  it  render  the  subject  more  plain  or  intel- 
ligible, we  may  substitute  the  word  plan  for  either  of  the  pre- 
ceding terms.  Thus,  when  we  read,  'according  to  the  eternal 
purpose  which  he  purposed  in  Christ  Jesus  our  "Lord," '  it  may 
be  rendered  according  to  his  eternal  plan.  Again,  when  we 
read,  'there  are  many  devices  in  a  man's  heart,  but  the  counsel 
of  the  Lord,  that  shall  stand,'  the  passage  would  sustain  no  injury 
were  we  to  render  it,  the  plan  of  the  Lord.  Also,  where  it  is 
said  of  the  Redeemer,  '  i\\Q  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in 
his  hand,'  it  may  be  read,  without  any  injury  to  the  cause  of  God 
and  truth,  the  plan  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in  his  hand.  This 
plan  is  also  the  decree  which  the  eternal  Son  hath  to  declare. 
See  Psalms,  ii.  T. 

"By  this  time  a  question  arises  in  the  minds  of  some.  What  is 
this  plan  of  the  Almighty,  of  which  you  speak  ?  To  this,  my 
brethren,  I  would  reply,  it  is  a  plan  of  holiness;  it  is  a  plan  of 
grace. 

"It  is  a  plan  of  holiness.  'According  as  he  hath  chosen  us  in 
him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy 
and  without  blame  before  him  in  love ;  having  predestinated  us,'  etc. 

"It  is  a  plan  of  grace.  For  'he  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us 
with  a  holy  calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but  according  to 
his  own  purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus 
before   the  world  began.'     According  to  this  plan,  we  are  the 


4S2  JACOB  GREGG. 

called;  according  to  this  plan,  we  are  predestinated,  as  will 
appear  by  consulting  our  text  and  the  passage  immediately  pre- 
ceding :  'Who  are  the  called  according  to  his  puriDOse,''  or  divine 
plan;  'For  whom  he  did  know,  he  also  did  predestinate.' 

"  Some  persons  have  styled  our  text  the  great  golden  chain  of 
a  believer's  salvation.  They  have  said,  'foreknowledge  makes 
one  link;  predestination,  two;  calling,  three;  justification,  four; 
and  glorification,  five.'  But  the  passage  will  not,  at  this  time,  be 
so  considered.  "We  shall  contemplate  it  as  comprehending  and 
illustrating  one  great  subject.  We  shall  view  the  doctrine  of 
predestination  as  the  centre,  in  which  all  the  lines  or  subjects 
meet.  And  oh !  may  we  all,  beholding  the  Divine  character,  as 
displayed  in  this  glorious  principle  of  our  Saviour's  religion,  be 
changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory  as  by  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord !         *         *         *         * 

"The  sentiment  that  God  predestinates,  or  hath  predestinated, 
persons  to  a  future  state  of  bliss,  on  foreseen  virtue  in  them,  as  an 
inducement,  is  contrary  to  plain  matter  of  fact.  '  For,'  said  the 
primitive  Christians,  'we  ourselves  were  sometimes  foolish,  dis- 
obedient, deceived,  serving  divers  lusts  and  pleasures,  living  in 
malice  and  envy,  hateful  and  hating  one  another.  But  after  that 
the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour  toward  man  appeared, 
not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  hut  accord- 
ing to  his  mercy  he  saved  us.'  If  works  have  no  influence  in 
procuring  Divine  favor,  when  they  are  wrought,  how  can  we  sup- 
pose they  could  have  any  influence  on  the  Divine  decree  ?  If  they 
are  destitute  of  merit  when  performed,  and  if  after  we  have  done  all, 
we  are  taught  to  confess  that  we  are  unprofitable  servants,  with- 
out any  merit  or  desert,  can  we  possibly  think  that  these  works 
could  be  foreknown  as  any  meritorious  consideration  in  the  Divine 
plan?  On  this  supposition  the  foreknowledge  of  God  must  be 
chargeable  with  error  or  mistake ;  and,  of  consequence,  it  could  be 
no  foreknowledge  at  all.  But,  after  all,  did  God  fMcknow  these 
things  as  performances  of  ours,  without  his  immediate  and  special 
influence  on  our  hearts  ?  or  did  he  foreknow  them  as  thijigs  he 
would  operate  in  us  by  his  Holy  Spirit  ?  Certainly,  as  things 
that  he  would  operate,  as  we  have  before  proved.  Tlien  it  will,- 
consequently  follow,  that  whatever  good  he  foresaw  in  us,  he  be- 


JACOB   GREGG.  433 

held  it,  not  as  native  excellency,  or  acquired  by  us  independent 
of  him,  but  as  the  fruit  of  his  own  Spirit  in  our  hearts ;  and,  of 
course,  not  meritorious  on  our  own  account. 

"Do  you  ask,  what  I  understand  by  foreknowledge  ?  I  reply, 
by  the  foreknowledge  of  God  I  conceive  that  we  are  to  under-, 
stand  that  he,  from  everlasting,  foreknew  all  those  persons  who 
would,  through  his  own  Divine  operations  on  their  hearts,  seek 
an  interest  in  his  favor  through  Christ,  and  perfect  holiness  in  his 
fear..  I  believe  he  had  the  most  exact  and  critical  view  of  their 
whole  characters ;  that  he  knew  the  depraved  state  in  which  they 
would  be  born,  the  opposition  of  heart  they  would  feel  against 
renewing  grace  and  the  plan  of  salvation  through  a  Mediator. 
M  knew,'  said  he,  'that  thou  art  obstinate,  and  thy  neck  is  an  iron 
sinew,  and  thy  brow  brass ;  I  knew  that  thou  wouldst  deal  very 
treacherously,  and  was  called  a  transgressor  from  the  womb.' 
But  he  also  knew  that,  in  a  day  of  grace  and  Divine  power,  they 
would  receive  conviction  of  sin,  repentance  toward  Grod,  and  faith 
in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  be  disposed  to  glorify  Grod  in  their 
bodies  and  spirits,  which  are  God's.  Is  it  inquired,  what  avails 
this  foreknowledge  ?  I  reply,  that  God's  exact  and  perfect  view 
of  the  unfavorable  part  of  our  character,  while  we  were  enemies 
to  him  by  wicked  works,  proves  that  his  plan  of  salvation  is  a 
plan  of  grace  ;  for  nothing  but  free,  unmerited  grace  could  design 
the  felicity  of  such  unworthy  creatures  as  he  foresaw  we  should 
be ;  but  his  perfect  acquaintance  with  the  favorable  part  of  our 
character,  when  we  are  the  subjects  of  his  special  operations  on 
our  hearts,  proves  that  his  plan  is  a  plan  of  holiness ;  that  holi- 
ness is  its  grand  object  or  intention ;  that  in  this  plan  felicity  is 
connected  with,  and  springs  from,  holiness. 

"  From  these  remarks,  it  must  appear  that  the  accomplishment 
of  the  design  of  predestination  commences  in  the  obedience  of 
every  renewed  soul  to  the  call  of  God.  As  soon  as  a  sinner  is 
born  again,  and  becomes  a  partaker  in  this  Divine  calling,  he  im- 
mediately exemplifies  the  dignified,  pure,  and  heavenly  exercises 
of  a  member  of  Christ,  a  child  of  God,  and  an  expectant  of  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  '  To  him,  now,  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is 
gain.'  The  experience  of  the  Apostle  is  now  his  :  'I  am  crucified 
with  Christ,  nevertheless  I  live,  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in 

VOL.  I. — 2  c  37 


434  JACOB   GREGG. 

me.'  The  grand  design  of  predestination  being  to  produce  and 
establish  the  image  of  God  in  all  its  objects,  as  in  our  calling  that 
image  becomes  measurably  reinstated,  it  follows,  of  course,  that 
the  design  of  predestination  is,  in  part,  accomplished ;  at  least  it 
is  so  far  accomplished,  as  we  become  a  holy  people.  But,  in  our 
calling,  its  design  is  not  fully  completed ;  therefore  it  is  added, 
'  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified.' " 

In  his  admirable  tract  on  close  communion,  he  employs  the 
following  language : — 

"Hitherto  we  have  only  endeavored  to  show  the  impropriety 
of  open  communion,  as  it  respects  Christian  societies  in  general. 
We  shall  now  exhibit  that  impropriety  with  regard  to  the  Baptists 
in  particular.     This  will  appear — 

"  1.  By  reflecting  on  the  nature  and  design  of  the  mission  of 
John  the  Baptist,  viz. :  to  make  ready  a  people  prepared  for  the 
Lord,  (Luke,  i.  IT,)  to  make  ready  a  people  for  the  kingdom  of 
Christ,  or  for  the  gospel  church.  How  was  this  design  accom- 
plished ?  See  Matt.  iii.  1,  5,  Y.  'In  those  days  came  John  the 
Baptist,  preaching  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea,  and  saying.  Repent 
ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.  Then  went  out  to  him 
Jerusalem  and  all  Judea,  and  all  the  region  round  about  Jordan, 
and  were  baptized  of  him  in  Jordan,  confessing  their  sins.'  This 
is  called  the  beginning  of  the  gospel,  (Mark,  i.  1,  2,  3,  4.)  This 
was  the  original  pattern  given  for  preparing  persons  for  a  gospel 
church  state ;  and  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  being 
confessedly  a  church  ordinance,  the  Baptists,  of  course,  enter- 
taining these  views  of  things,  must  act  extremely  improper  were 
they  to  practice  open  communion.  For,  in  such  a  communion, 
persons  are  received  who  were  never  made  ready  for  the  Lord,  or 
for  a  gospel  church,  according  to  the  original  plan;  hence,  in 
their  reception  there  must  be  a  violation  of  the  well-known  rule : 
'  See  that  thou  do  all  things  according  to  the  pattern  shown  thee 
iu  the  Mount;'  which  precept  will  apply  to  the  law  from  Mount 
Zion  equally  as  to  that  of  Mount  Sinai. 

"2.  The  impropriety  of  Baptists  uniting  in  an  open  or  general 
communion  will  appear,  by  considering  how  Christ  received  his 
disciples.  In  John,  iv.  1,  it  is  said,  he  made  them  disciples  and 
then  baptized  them.     See  this  confirmed  by  John,  iii.  22,  23,  25, 


JACOB   DARDEN.  435 

26.  Hence,  we  infer,  if  our  Saviour  received  persons  to  com- 
munion w^ith  Mmself  by  the  administration  of  this  ordinance,  it 
cannot  be  improper  for  the  Baptists  to  adopt  the  same  mode,  and 
follow  the  same  unerring  example,  in  receiving  persons  to  com- 
munion in  the  church  of  Christ  now  in  the  present  day.  '  For 
even  hereunto  are  ye  called,  because  Christ  also  suffered  for  us, 
leaving  us  an  example  that  we  should  follow  his  steps,'  (1  Peter, 
ii.  21.) 

"3.  It  is  improper  for  the  Baptists  to  practice  open  communion, 
because  'in  the  beginning  it  was  not  so.'  These  were  the  words 
of  the  Lord,  when  the  Jews  inquired  if  it  were  lawful  for  a  man 
to  put  away  his  wife  for  every  cause.  Our  Saviour  replied: 
Moses,  for  the  hardness  of  your  hearts,  suffered  you  to  put  them 
away,  but  'in  the  beginning  it  was  not  so,'  bringing  them  back  to 
the  first  institution  of  marriage.  The  question  is  now  asked,  is 
it  lawful  for  persons  baptized  or  unbaptized  to  break  bread 
together  at  the  table  of  the  Lord  ?  We  reply,  that  a  number  of 
pious  persons  have  submitted  to  it,  'but  in  the  beginning  it  was 
not  so.'" 


JACOB    DARDEK* 


Jacob  Dardex,  the  eldest  son  of  Elisha  Darden,  was  born  in 
Southampton  County,  Yirginia,  August  24th,  1770.  In  early 
life  he  was  volatile ;  but  when  arrived  at  manhood  he  evinced 
more  steadiness  of  conduct,  and  moved  in  select  circles  of  society 
with  considerable  dignity,  but  unfortunately  imbibed  deistical 
sentiments,  which  he  continued  to  foster  until  1809.  From  that 
time  he  renounced  his  former  sentiments,  and  made  religion  the 
subject  of  close  investigation.  His  convictions  were  pungent,  the 
power  of  which  he  could  not  conceal  from  his  friends.  He  resorted 
to  the  throne  of  grace  in  secret  and  there  confessed  his  sins  to 
the  infinite  Majesty,  and  implored  forgiveness  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  whom  he  had  persecuted.    It  was  not  long  before  the  Lord 

*  From  the  Minutes  of  the  Portsmouth  Association. 


436  JACOB   DARDEN. 

answered  his  supplications  and  freed  his  soul  from  the  guilt  that 
tortured  his  mind.  He  soon  requested  admission  into  the  church 
at  South  Quay,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Bowers. 

Soon  after,  his  mind  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  worth  of 
souls.  His  views  of  the  lost  state  of  man  and  the  fullness  of  the 
gospel  moved  him  to  enter  the  field  of  labor,  to  recommend  sal- 
vation to  all  around  him.  In  this  work  he  engaged  with  all  that 
fervor  which  became  a  minister  of  Jesus.  Such  was  the  discipline 
of  his  mind,  and  the  regulation  of  his  judgment  in  the  selection 
and  management  of  plain  passages  of  Scripture,  that  the  church 
of  which  he  was  a  member  granted  him  license  to  preach.  The 
time  he  occupied  as  a  licentiate  is  not  definitely  recollected ;  he 
was,  however,  examined  by  a  Presbytery,  and  ordained  to  the 
ministry  October  2d,  1813. 

The  life  of  Brother  Darden  was,  what  the  life  of  every  Chris- 
tian should  be,  a  commentary  upon  his  principles ;  his  faith  was 
exemplified  by  good  works.  His  life  was  devoted  to  the  cause 
of  Christ;  he  not  only  possessed  the  ability  to  be  useful,  but 
"whatever  his  hand  found  to  do  he  did  it  with  his  might."  By 
his  humble  boldness  in  the  cause  of  Christ  he  did  much  in  pro- 
moting its  interest.  His  example  is  worthy  of  imitation ;  his 
zeal,  his  prayers  and  exhortations  will  long  be  remembered  by  the 
pious.  He  "ruled  well  his  own  household,"  and  displayed  a  talent 
in  the  management  of  his  family  and  domestic  concerns  seldom 
evinced.  He  manifested  the  most  ardent  solicitude  for  their 
welfare,  and  sought  to  train  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord.  As  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  member  of  the 
church,  clerk  of  the  Association,  and  justice  of  the  peace,  he 
maintained  a  dignity  seldom  equaled.  He  was  nice  in  his  calcu- 
lations, deliberate  in  all  his  decisions,  and  sincere  in  all  his  pre- 
tensions in  church  and  State.  Of  his  judgment  in  courts  of  justice 
it  is  said,  by  shrewd  attorneys,  few  were  his  equals.  He  was 
reverenced  and  caressed  by  all  the  respectable  part  of  society  who 
knew  him.  To  him  the  language  of  Solomon  was  justly  applicable, 
"When  a  man's  ways  please  the  Lord,  he  maketh  even  his 
enemies  to  be  at  peace  with  him." 

Not  long  after  he  commenced  his  ministerial  labors  he  was  ad- 
monished, by  a  great  weakness  of  the  lungs  and  spitting  of  blood, 


JACOB  DAEDEN.  437 

to  desist  from  his  former  exertions.  He  traveled  but  little,  except 
to  the  neighboring  Associations  and  churches.  He  preached  but 
seldom  during  his  tedious  indisposition ;  consequently  was  not 
much  known  as  a  public  minister  at  a  distance  from  home. 
During  the  progress  of  a  glorious  revival,  such  was  the  solicitude 
of  his  heart,  he  could  not  forbear  public  exercises  again,  under 
the  pressure  of  which  his  feeble  tenement  was  soon  prostrated,  so 
that  he  was  confined  to  his  room  almost  continually  until  his  dis- 
solution. Under  his  af&iction  he  manifested  unusual  resignation, 
and  entire  dependence  on  Christ  Jesus.  About  one  week  before 
his  departure  he  was  visited  by  an  old  minister.  He  requested 
him  to  shut  the  door  and  take  a  seat  by  his  bedside,  and  ad- 
dressed him  in  the  following  language:  " Dear  brother,  I  feel  a 
great  anxiety  that  young  converts  of  the  late  revival  should  be 
instructed  much  in  the  leading  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  There 
are  so  many  sentiments  existing  in  the  Christian  community  in- 
compatible with  the  true  spirit  of  the  gospel,  I  fear  much  that 
many  young  Christians  may  be  led  into  error.  I  request  that  you 
will  take  much  pains,  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  to  guard  them 
against  the  heresies  of  the  day,  especially  the  Unitarian  ^nd 
Socinian  doctrine,  which  has  already  overthrown  the  faith  of 
many ;  I  expect  this  is  the  last  interview  we  shall  have  in  time ;  I 
therefore  make  it  as  a  dying  request." 

Two  days  before  his  death,  he  said  to  a  young  brother  who 
visited  him:  "Brother,  I  am  glad  to  see  you;  I  thought  this 
morning  I  should  have  gone  before  now ;  but  I  was  resigned ;  I 
seemed  to  be  passing  along  pleasantly ;  I  have  had  the  presence 
of  Jesus."  After  a  moment's  pause,  he  gave  some  instructions 
concerning  the  records  of  the  church,  and  then  added:  "I have 
fought  a  good  fight,  and  my  trust  is  in  the  Redeemer  for  the 
crown  of  righteousness." 

He  continued  thus  tranquil  and  resigned  until  the  fourth  Sab- 
bath in  October,  1821,  when  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and  his  happy 
soul,  as  we  doubt  not,  was  conducted  by  angels  into  the  presence 
of  God.  His  funeral  was  attended  on  the  ensuing  day  by  Elder 
S.  Murfee. 


3t* 


488  JAMES   HEALY. 


JAMES    HEALY.* 


The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  in  Middlesex  County, 
July,  1156,  of  poor  but  reputable  parents.  On  account  of  the 
death  of  his  father,  which  took  place  when  he  was  quite  young, 
his  education  was  limited.  His  mother  sent  him  to  school  about 
thirteen  months  to  a  very  ordinary  teacher ;  being  a  boy  of  good 
mind,  he  obtained  a  knowledge  of  the  elementary  branches  of  edu- 
cation. Most  of  his  early  life  was  spent  in  working  upon  the 
farm.  In  his  youth,  the  revolutionary  struggle  began,  and,  at 
sixteen  years  old,  he  enlisted  in  the  continental  army  for  the  space 
of  three  years,  served  his  tour  at  the  North,  and  was  in  one  or 
two  actual  engagements,  where  he  narrowly  escaped  death  by  a 
musket  ball.  This,  however,  made  no  serious  impression  on  his 
mind.  His  time  having  expired  he  was  discharged,  and  returned 
to  the  place  of  his  nativity,  but  not  to  enjoy  this  happiness  long. 
Within  a  few  weeks  a  press- master  passed,  and  he  was  draughted 
to  serve  two  years  in  Georgia  and  North  Carolina.  During  this 
period,  Cornwallis  besieged  Little  York,  and  he  received  orders 
to  march  thither ;  when  Cornwallis  was  forced  to  surrender,  and 
he  again  returned  home  to  his  friends.  Although  he  was  prudent 
in  saving  his  wages  while  in  the  army,  yet  it  profited  him  nothing. 
He  was  paid  in  continental  money,  which  immediately  failed  after 
the  war,  and  he  lost  it  all.  Shortly  after,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Ruth  Bristow,  and,  by  their  united  industry  and  economy,  they 
were  placed  in  easy  circumstances.  He  was  enabled  to  purchase 
a  farm,  to  which  he  attended  with  great  success,  and  soon  became 
Independent  in  his  circumstances. 

It  is  not  remembered  at  what  time,  or  in  what  way,  he  was  - 
brought  under  Divine  influence.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  in  the 
Lord's  good  and  appointed  time  and  way,  the  rebel  was  changed 
to  Befriend,  and  the  hater  of  God  was  brought  to  love  him.  Ac- 
cording to  a  memorandum,  in  his  own  hand-writing,  he  began 
to  publish  the  news  of  salvation  through  a  crucified  Redeemer,  in 

*  By  Nathan  Healy. 


JAMES    HEALY.  •  439 

the  winter  of  1804,  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  From 
the  humble  view  he  always  had  of  his  own  qualifications,  he  no 
doubt  was  induced  to  embark  in  this  noble  work  from  the  great 
desire  he  felt  for  the  conversion  of  sinners.  He  was  invited  to 
take  the  pastoral  care  of  Pocorone,  King  and  Queen  County,  at 
the  time  of  its  constitution,  August  29th,  1801;  which  he  seemed 
unwilling  at  first  to  do,  saying  that  he  was  too  unworthy  and  in- 
competent for  so  high  and  responsible  a  station.  The  love  which 
he  bore  to  his  Divine  Lord  soon  hushed  all  objections,  and  he 
proceeded  to  hold  a  stated  monthly  meeting  with  that  church,  and  to 
administer  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel,  to  their  great  satisfaction 
and  the  gradual  increase  of  their  number,  to  the  day  of  his  death. 
For  several  years  his  labor  was  confined  principally  to  this  church 
and  its  vicinity,  going  from  house  to  house,  holding  evening-meet- 
ings, and  preaching  on  the  Lord's  day  in  private  houses.  Some 
time  about  the  year  1809,  he,  with  the  few  Baptists  near  the  cen- 
tral part  of  Middlesex,  built  a  new  house  of  worship  on  a  corner 
of  his  land,  called  Clark's  ISTeck  Meeting-house,  where  a  monthly 
meeting  was  held.  This  meeting  he  regularly  attended;  and 
whenever  the  pastor  of  Hermitage  was  prevented  by  any  cause  to 
attend,  he  never  failed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

In  a  few  years  after  this  house  was  built,  it  pleased  God  to  call 
away  by  death,  the  pastor  of  Hermitage.  Being  now  left  desti- 
tute. Elder  J.  Healy  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  which  call  he 
accepted,  and  labored  one  Lord's  day  in  a  month  with  that  body, 
one  at  Clark's  Neck,  one  Lord's  day  at  Pocorone,  and  the  other 
he  preached,  sometimes  at  the  old  church,  King  and  Queen,  some- 
times at  Ware's,  and  at  other  places.  In  1815,  his  eldest  son, 
John  Healy,  died,  and  Zoar  Church  was  left  without  the  bread 
of  life.  After  a  year  or  two,  their  great  destitution  and  repeated 
applications  induced  Elder  Healy  to  take  charge  of  this  church. 
Thus  he  was  constantly  engaged  in  supplying  four  congregations 
until  he  was  removed  by  the  Master  of  the  vineyard. 

He  was  very  plain  in  dress,  and  remarkable  for  simplicity  of 
manners;  he  was  reserved  before  strangers,  but  open  and  acces- 
sible to  his  friends  and  brethren ;  economical  in  his  habits,  yet 
humane  and  hospitable  to  all,  and  especially  charitable  to  the  poo?'. 
In  him  the  orphan  might  find  a  father  and  tlie  widow  a  friend. 


440  JAMES   HEALT. 

It  is  worthy  of  observation  that,  immediately  after  the  late  war, 
com  became  so  extravagantly  high  that  with  great  difficulty  did 
the  poor  obtain  bread.  Although  he  was  in  the  yearly  practice 
of  shipping  the  larger  portion  of  the  corn  he  sold,  yet,  seeing  the 
distress  of  many  that  year,  he  declined  sending  off  any  of  his 
corn,  and  retailed  it  out  on  credit  to  his  poor  neighbors,  and  the 
poor  widows  around  him,  for  less  than  many  asked  in  cash  for 
theirs ;  and  to  the  poor  widows  who  bought  of  him  he  gave  em- 
ployment, that  he  might  better  enable  them  to  liquidate  their 
accounts. 

As  a  preacher  his  address  was  not  prepossessing,  his  voice 
being  sonorous  and  boisterous ;  he  was  sound  in  the  doctrines  of 
grace,  and  seemed  to  speak  with  a  holy  unction,  which  always 
commanded  attention.  Though  not  eloquent,  he  might  be  said  to 
be  a  good  doctrinal  preacher.  It  is  stated  by  one  of  his  cotem- 
poraries,  that  after  Elder  Healy  had  commenced  preaching,  he 
was  thrown  into  a  state  of  darkness,  that  led  him  to  think  he  had 
committed  a  sin  in  attempting  it ;  he  therefore  prayed  to  God  that 
he  would  forgive  him,  promising  that  he  would  do  so  no  more.  But, 
from  his  subsequent  life,  we  find  him  more  bold,  energetic,  and  inde- 
fatigable, after  the  temptation  was  removed,  than  before.  As  he 
approximated  the  end  of  his  earthly  career,  he  seemed  to  possess  an 
increasing  intellectual  power  and  ardor  of  address,  while  his  preach- 
ing was  truly  in  the  power  and  demonstration  of  the  Spirit. 

In  the  last  years  of  his  life  he  enjoyed  good  health,  with  short 
interruptions.  The  day  week  on  which  he  was  attacked  with  his  last 
illness,  he  was  called  upon  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  in  a  neigh- 
borhood where  he  had  not  for  some  time  visited,  and  the  brethren 
and  he  were  much  delighted  on  meeting  each  other.  When  asked 
how  he  was,  he  replied,  "As  well  as  when  I  was  a  boy,  only  I  am 
not  as  active."  After  preaching,  he  returned  home,  and  in  a  few 
days  after  was  seized  with  a  violent  bilious  fever.  In  his  illness, 
his  intellect  was  greatly  impaired.  When  in  his  right  mind,  he 
bore  his  pain  with  calmness  and  resignation.  He  avoided  speaking 
much  upon  the  subject  of  his  death,  it  is  believed,  to  prevent 
giving  pain  to  his  family.  When  all  his  family  were  out  of  the 
-room,  except  his  oldest  son,  he  communicated  to  him  his  persua- 
sion that  his  final  dissolution  was  at  hand.     The  day  before  his 


WILLIAM   BELL.  441 

death,  he  conversed  pleasantly  with  the  doctor  and  his  friends, 
showing  no  anxiety  nor  fear,  but  by  his  composure  and  cheerful- 
ness seemed  to  say,  I  am  ready  whenever  my  change  shall  come. 
The  morning  of  his  death  his  speech  began  to  fail  him,  and  early 
in  the  evening  of  October  4th,  1820,  his  spirit  took  its  flight. 
He  died  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  sixteenth  or  seven- 
teenth of  his  ministry,  leaving  a  widow  with  five  children,  and 
numerous  friends  to  mourn  that  loss  which  was  his  unspeakable 
gain.  The  Rev.  Robert  B.  Semple  preached  his  funeral  sermon 
at  Clark's  Neck  Meeting-house,  from  Matthew,  xxv.  21 :  "His 
Lord  said  unto  him,  well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant ; 
thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler 
over  many  things ;  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 


WILLIAM    BELL.* 

William  Bell  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  whence  he  emigrated 
to  this  country  in  1811,  and  for  the  last  seventeen  years  had  been 
a  resident  ot  Pattonsburg.  He  was  for  some  years  a  minister  of 
an  independent  Pedobaptist  church  in  Scotland,  having  separated 
from  the  Presbyterian,  the  established  church,  on  account  of 
errors  in  doctrine  and  in  church  government.  Having  taken  the 
word  of  God  as  the  only  rule  of  his  faith  and  practice,  he  found 
he  had  been  in  error  both  as  regarded  the  subject  and  mode  of 
baptism.  Deeply  affected,  he  publicly  confessed  his  error,  and 
directed  the  attention  of  his  brethren  to  their  duty  as  believers ; 
the  result  was,  that  he,  together  with  the  members  of  his  church, 
were  solemnly  immersed  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Grhost.  But  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  an  evangelical 
Baptist  minister  to  administer  the  ordinance,  the  series  of  bap- 
tisms was  commenced  by  one  of  the  elders  of  the  church  who  had 
been  set  apart  for  that  purpose,  but  who  was  not  himself  immersed 
until  after  he  had  first  immersed  the  subject  of  this  notice.    Under 

*  From  the  Religious  Herald. 


442  JOHN   HEALY. 

his  ministry  others  received  the  truth,  and  he  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing,  previous  to  his  leaving  Scotland,  some  hundreds  obey- 
ing the  Lord,  by  following  him  into  the  watery  grave,  and  by  con- 
tinuing steadfastly  in  the  Apostles'  doctrine,  and  in  fellowship,  and 
in  breaking  of  bread.  After  his  migration  to  this  country,  the 
wants  of  a  large  family  and  the  peculiar  nature  of  his  employ- 
ments confined  him  constantly  to  the  place  of  his  residence,  con- 
sequently his  acquaintance  was  limited,  and  his  usefulness  circum- 
scribed to  a  small  sphere.  Nevertheless,  from  his  settlement  in 
this  country  to  the  Sabbath  before  his  death,  (upon  which  day  he 
walked  a  mile  into  the  country  and  preached  for  the  last  time 
from  Acts,  xv.  9,)  he  ceased  not  to  preach  that  gospel  which  had 
been  the  power  of  God  in  his  own  salvation,  as  opportunity 
offered,  both  in  the  town  in  which  he  resided  and  in  the  adjacent 
country.  He  also  sought  the  acquaintance  of  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  professors  of  religion,  and  serious  persons,  and  endeavored 
affectionately  and  forcibly  to  point  out  their  errors,  and  to  expound 
unto  them  the  way  of  God  more  perfectly.  Although  not  blessed 
with  more  than  an  ordinary  English  education,  he  had  by  close 
study,  particularly  of  the  Scriptures,  acquired  a  more  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  word  of  God,  and  clearer  views  of  the  plan  of 
salvation  by  grace,  through  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  a 
more  perspicuous  and  forcible  method  of  carrying  knowledge  to 
others,  than  that  of  any  public  minister  with  whom  the  writer  of 
this  is  acquainted  in  this  country. 


JOHN    HEALY. 

The  subject  of  the  following  memoir  was  a  man  of  sincere 
piety;  and,  although  not  eminent  for  erudition,  the  Lord  made 
him  the  instrument  of  much  good  in  his  generation.  He  was  the 
son  of  Captain  James  and  Mrs.  Ruth  Healy,  residents  of  Middle- 
sex County,  who  were  remarkable  for  piety.  He  was  a  preacher 
above  the  ordinary  standard,  and  filled  that  station  with  efficiency, 
being  successful  in  his  labors,  and,  as  a  pastor,  was  sincerely  be- 
loved by  his  church  and  congregation. 


JOHN   HEALY.  443 

He  was  born  about  the  year  1785,  and,  removing  from  his 
father's  family  when  young,  resided  in  Matthews  County,  where 
he  lived  at  the  time  of  his  conversion.  In  the  year  1806,  he  was 
taught  of  God  to  understand  and  feel  his  need  of  Christ,  and  im- 
mediately on  his  baptism  became  a  minister  of  the  everlasting 
gospel.  A  short  time  after,  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  Matthews 
Baptist  Church ;  and  in  this  relation  he  continued  as  long  as  he 
lived.  Besides  this,  at  their  special  and  urgent  request,  he  as- 
sumed the  pastoral  care  of  Zoar  Church,  in  Middlesex  County. 
In  the  discharge  of  these  duties  he  was  unblamable,  notwithstand- 
ing which  he  was  at  one  time  the  subject  of  persecution  of  a 
most  aggravated  nature.  This  all  may  expect  who  would  live 
godly  in  Christ  Jesus.  Although  constitutionally  of  a  hasty 
temper,  he  bore  the  unmerited  rebukes  of  those  around  him  with 
Christian  meekness,  and  lived  in  the  constant  exercise  of  those 
traits  which  are  the  chief  ornament  of  the  Christian  character. 
There  can  be  no  lovelier  object  presented  to  the  contemplation 
of  man,  than  the  child  of  God,  living  in  the  mortification  of  his 
selfish  and  carnal  propensities,  and  bringing  every  thought  into 
subjection  to  Christ. 

Firmness  and  promptness  in  the  performance  of  duty  were 
characteristics  of  Elder  Ilealy,  and  no  one,  perhaps,  was  more 
desirous  to  advance  the  cause  he  advocated.  It  pleased  the  Lord, 
however,  to  cut  him  off  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  in  the  midst  of 
his  usefulness.  He  died  in  1815,  universally  lamented.  He  was 
the  father  of  several  children,  and  his  death  was  immediately 
followed  by  that  of  his  wife ;  thus  leaving  a  family  of  helpless 
orphans  to  lament  their  irreparable  loss.  There  may  have  been 
men  of  more  splendid  abilities,  but  few  who  lived  more  in  devo- 
tion to  the  duties  of  his  office. 


444  JOHN  A.  BILLINGSLEY. 


JOHN    ASHCUM    BILLINGSLEY.* 

John  A.  Billingsley  was  born  in  St.  Mai-y's  County,  Mary- 
land, April  24th,  ITTO.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Zachary  Bil- 
lingsley ;  his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Ashcum.  He  removed 
to  Virginia  when  about  fourteen  years  old,  and  at  an  early  age 
married  Sally  Duerson,  daughter  of  Joseph  Duerson,  of  Spottsyl- 
vania.  He  commenced  the  world  in  good  circumstances,  and 
though  liberal  to  a  fault,  continued  quite  independent  through 
life.  In  his  youthful  days  he  was  a  devotee  to  all  the  vain  amuse- 
ments of  a  giddy  world.  He  was  a  very  witty  and  agreeable 
young  man,  and  uncommonly  active ;  having  a  fine  ear  for  music, 
and  being  an  excellent  performer  on  the  violin,  he  was  always  a 
welcome  visitor  in  the  ball-room,  and  seldom  lost  an  opportunity 
to  gratify  his  fondness  for  this  amusement.  Horse-racing  and 
card-playiug  also  were  with  him  favorite  indulgences.  Notwith- 
standing his  zeal  in  his  old  master's  service,  (as  he  frequently 
called  the  devil,)  he  was  never  charged  with  any  action  that 
involved  a  compromise  of  honor. 

In  this  round  of  folly  and  indiscretion,  thoughts  of  a  future 
state  would  sometimes  be  forced  upon  his  attention ;  but  by  mighty 
efforts  to  resist  the  monitions  of  conscience,  he  lived  in  pleasure 
(falsely  so  called)  till  about  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age, 
when  an  incident  occurred,  in  the  providence  of  God,  that  com- 
pletely dissolved  the  charm  of  sinful  indulgence  by  which  he  had 
been  held.  He  happened  to  be  present  at  a  Baptist  meeting, 
held  by  Elder  Jeremiah  Chandler,  at  Mine  Road  Meeting-house ; 
after  the  services  were  over,  Mr.  Henry  Pendleton,  an  aged  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  presented  himself  before  the  congregation,  and 
begged  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  God's  people.  He  had 
always  looked  upon  Mr.  Pendleton  as  one  of  the  best  of  men,  and 
concluded  if  he  needed  the  supplications  of  God's  people,  that 
his  own  situation  must  be  deplorable.  He  was  brought  down  an 
humble  penitent  at  the  foot  of  the  cross ;  and,  leaving  the  gallery 

*  Prepared  by  Herndon  Frazer. 


JOHN  A.  13ILLINGSLEY,  445 

where  he  was  sitting,  he  fearlessly  came  up  to  the  minister,  and 
publicly  besought  the  pious  to  remember  him  also  in  prayer.  His 
distress  of  mind  was  sore  indeed.  Looking  upon  himself  as  a 
poor  lost  sinner,  justly  condemned  by  the  law  of  God,  he  said  he 
saw  not  how  God  could  be  just,  and  save  such  a  rebel ;  and  so 
strong  was  his  regard  for  the  character  of  God,  that  he  could  not 
desire  his  own  salvation  at  the  expense  of  the  Divine  honor.  His 
anguish  of  heart  continued  until  the  next  Lord's  day,  when  he 
was  enabled  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and  so  clear  were 
his  views  of  the  character  and  offices  of  the  Saviour,  that  he 
exclaimed,  if  he  had  ten  thousand  souls,  he  would  resign  them  all 
into  his  hands. 

From  this  moment  he  had  impressions  to  preach  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ  to  a  dying  world,  but  was  prevented  for  a 
long  time  by  a  sense  of  unworthiness,  and  the  fear  of  assuming  a 
work  for  which  he  was  not  qualified.  He  was  baptized  in  October, 
1794,  by  Elder  Absalom  Waller,  united  with  the  church  at  Wal- 
ler's, and  became  a  very  active  and  zealous  member.  He  began 
to  exercise  his  gift  in  exhortation  on  the  4th  of  July,  1808.  In 
1810  he  was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  at  Zoar, 
Orange  County,  and  was  ordained  in  October  of  the  same  year. 
After  the  death  of  Elder  A.  Waller,  he  was  chosen  pastor  of 
Waller's  and  Elk  Creek  Churches,  and  after  the  removal  of  Elder 
A.  M.  Lewis  to  the  West,  he  became  pastor  of  the  churches  at 
County  Line  and  Bethany,  having  resigned  his  charge  at  Zoar  and 
Elk  Creek.  It  was  also  through  his  efficiency  that  the  chf.rch  at 
Mount  Hermon,  in  the  upper  part  of  Spottsylvania,  was  planted, 
and  by  his  ministrations  it  was  watered  as  long  as  he  was  able  to 
travel.  The  last  time  he  visited  this  church,  which  was  in  the 
winter  previous  to  his  death,  he  was  in  very  feeble  health,  but  his 
physical  energies  appeared  not  to  give  way  under  a  very  long 
discourse.  He  was  much  emaciated  by  disease,  his  visage  thin 
and  pale,  and  his  head  covered  with  a  cap.  His  words  were 
regarded  by  all  who  heard  him  as  the  testimony  of  a  dying  man. 
He  declared  it  to  be  his  solemn  conviction,  that  that  would  be  the 
last  time  he  should  ever  be  permitted  to  address  that  church,  and 
if  he  ever  felt  anxious  to  be  faithful,  he  did  then.  He  took  as 
the  foundation  of  his  discourse,  the  letters  to  the  seven  churches 

VOL.  I.  38      ■ 


446  JOHN  A.  BILLINGSLEY. 

in  Asia,  as  contained  in  the  second  and  third  chapters  of  Revela- 
tions, warning  the  church  against  the  errors  of  the  times,  among 
which  he  classed  "The  Views  of  Mr.  Alexander  Campbell,"  and 
exhorted  them  to  continue  in  "  the  faith  once  deliveved  to  the 
saints."  Even  after  he  was  unable  to  travel,  hearing  that  a  few 
of  the  members  of  this  church  were  rather  inclined  to  subscribe 
to  the  views  of  Mr.  Campbell,  he  wrote  a  long  pastoral  letter  to 
the  church,  urging  them  to  the  prompt  discharge  of  duty,  and 
bearing  his  marked  disapprobation  to  "the  (miscalled)  reforma- 
tion." 

Elder  Billingsley  discharged  all  the  social  duties  incumbent 
upon  him  as  husband,  father,  master,  neighbor,  etc.,  in  a  manner 
truly  exemplary.  He  was  a  man  of  God ;  a  firm  believer  in  the 
efficacy  of  prayer ;  and  oft  engaged  at  the  mercy-seat,  in  behalf 
of  himself  and  others.  His  father,  who  was  an  Episcopalian  by 
profession,  was  brought  under  conviction  for  sin,  by  overhearing 
him  at  prayer  in  secret  for  him.  He  was  a  popular,  successful, 
and  indefatigable  preacher.  Dr.  Scott  once  told  him,  if  he  con- 
tinued to  travel  and  preach,  it  would  certainly  kill  him.  He 
replied  he  could  not  die  in  a  better  cause,  and  that  he  had  much 
rather  wear  than  rust  out. 

Elder  Billingsley  did  not  enjoy  the  benefits  of  classical  learning, 
but  possessed  a  good  English  education,  which  he  greatly  im- 
proved by  subsequent  reading  and  study.  He  was  devoted  to 
books,  had  a  good  library,  and  when  not  engaged  in  his  duties 
from  home,  was  generally  found  with  a  book  in  his  hand.  Among 
uninspired  writers,  Fuller  and  jS'ewton  were  favorite  authors  with 
him.  From  this  fact,  the  character  of  his  preaching  may  be 
known.  His  labors  were  greatly  blessed  at  various  periods  of  his 
ministerial  career — few  men  in  modern  times  have  been  instru- 
mental in  the  conversion  of  more  sinners,  or  baptized  more 
believing  subjects.  His  praise  was  in  all  the  churches  in  this 
region  of  country,  as  an  evangelical  preacher,  a  man  of  great 
humility,  of  deep-toned  piety,  and  of  considerable  research  in 
scriptural  knowledge.  Notwithstanding,  he  always  had  a  very 
humble  opinion  of  his  own  performances,  particularly  those  of  a 
religious  character,  often  saying  his  best  services  had  need  to  be 
washed  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  to  cleanse  them  from  sin.     Elder 


JOHN  A.  BILLlNaSLEY.  44Y 

Billingsley  suffered  with  ill-health  for  many  years  previous  to  his 
death,  but  continued  to  preach  till  a  few  months  before  his  depar- 
ture. His  bodily  strength  at  length  failing  him,  he  was  compelled 
to  take  his  bed.  But  after  disease  had  wasted  his  body  to  a  mere 
skeleton,  his  mental  faculties  existed  in  all  their  vigor,  and  his 
faith  in  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ  produced  joy  inexpressible 
and  full  of  glory.  Christ  and  his  cross  were  all  his  theme.  A 
few  days  previous  to  his  death,  on  perceiving  his  friends  weeping 
around  his  bedside,  he  reached  out  his  withered  arms  and  put 
them  around  the  neck  of  one  of  his  daughters,  clasped  her  to  his 
breast,  and  said,  "My  dear,  do  not  weep  for  me;  do  not  grieve 
after  me!"  She  replied,  "We  weep  to  see  you  suffer  so  much." 
He  said,  "Jesus  suffered  much  more  for  me ;  it  will  soon  be  over." 
He  clapped  his  hands  and  said,  "  Glory,  glory !  I  shall  soon  be  at 
home."  On  another  occasion,  when  a  singing-master,  iu  company 
with  some  of  his  scholars,  paid  him  a  visit,  he  said,  "I  shall  soon 
sing  louder  than  any  of  you.  I  hope  the  Lord  has  a  harp  laid 
aside  for  me." 

A  day  or  two  before  his  death,  he  observed  to  a  daughter, 
who  was  watching  by  his  bedside :  "  Oh,  my  child,  I  have  been 
assaulted  by  some  iiei"y  darts  from  the  enemy ;  he  has  been  trying 
to  tempt  me  to  believe  that  if  I  were  a  child  of  God,  he  would 
not  permit  me  to  lie  here  and  suffer  so  long.  But  it  is  the  enemy, 
for  it  is  written — yes,  it  is  loritten,  '  Man  shall  not  live  by  bread 
alone,  b^t  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of 
God :  and  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth 
every  son  whom  he  receiveth.'  No  wonder  the  enemy  should  fol- 
low me  down  to  the  grave,  for  he  contended  for  the  body  of 
Moses.  But  I  shall  yet  come  off  conqueror.  I  believe  my 
'  Saviour  is  now  walking  with  me  through  the  furnace,  although 
I  cannot  see  him."  He  often  said  he  was  a  poor  unworthy  sin- 
ner, but  trusted  he  had  a  kind  intercessor  and  advocate  with  the 
Father,  and  through  him  he  could  be  accepted.  All  his  trust  was 
in  him.  The  morning  he  died,  he  said,  "I  feel  very  strange  !  Can 
this  be  death  ?  Can  I  be  dying  ?"  One  of  his  daughters  said, 
"Father,  you  are  not  afraid  to  die?"  "'No,  no!"  he  replied. 
He  requested  that  all  his  children  should  be  called  to  his  bed; 
then,  looking  up,  he  said,  "  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?     I  hope 


448  JOHN  A.  BILLINGSLEY. 

death — "  Here  his  voice  failed  him,  but  he  clasped  his  hands, 
and  was  heard  to  articulate  faintly,  though  distinctly,  "  Rest,  rest, 
rest !"  and  closed  his  eyes  on  all  earthly  objects,  on  the  first  day 
of  August,  1837,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  When  he 
died,  he  was  living  at  his  plantation  called  Salem,  in  Spottsyl- 
vania,  near  Fredericksburg ;  he  left  a  wife,  and  nine  children  who 
were  married  and  comfortably  settled  in  life,  and  all  members  of 
the  Baptist  church,  save  one. 

As  indicative  of  the  state  of  Elder  Billingsley's  mind,  during 
his  long  confinement,  we  append  the  following  extract  of  a  letter 
written  to  a  physician  of  eminence,  whom  he  had  consulted  con- 
cerning his  case : — 

"I  have  written  you  a  long  letter,  and  have  scarcely  hinted  to 
you  anything  respecting  the  state  of  my  mind,  which  is  so  much 
more  important.  I  have  reason  to  thank  and  bless  God  for  the 
rich  displays  of  his  mercy,  which  have  been  mingled  with  my 
affliction.  I  may  well  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes, 
that  my  wretched  state  has  not  been  more  beneficially  affected 
under  the  rod.  Sometimes  I  have  felt  sweetly  reconciled  to  God's 
will,  then  again  restless  and  impatient.  Sometimes  I  have  been 
anxious  to  depart,  and  then  fondly  clinging  to  life.  A  thousand 
cords  seem  to  be  drawing  and  binding  me  to  this  world ;  but,  thank 
God,  he  has  not  suffered  any  corroding  fear  to  perplex  my  mind. 
I  have  had  no  particular  manifestations  of  his  love  to  my  soul, 
but  a  firm,  fixed  reliance  on  the  dear  Friend  of  sinners,  in  whom 
alone  we  can  be  accepted,  and  by  whom  alone  a  sinner  can  be 
eternally  saved.  '  The  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand ;  I  have 
fought  the  good  fight !'  At  any  rate,  I  have  been  fighting  in  a 
good  cause,  and  under  a  good  Captain.  Oh  that  I  had  been  a 
better  soldier !  I  have,  I  trust,  kept  the  faith ;  henceforth  there 
is  laid  up  for  me  a  'crown  of  righteousness.'  I  trust  I  love  his 
appearing.  I  will  hope  for  the  crown,  since  it  is  freely  given  by 
Him  who  shall  receive  from  the  saved  loud  acclamations  of  praise. 
They  will  crown  Mm  Lord  of  all." 


RICHARD  CLAYBROOK.  449 


RICHARD    CLAYBROOK. 

He  was  born  October  IStli,  1185,  in  King  William  County.  In 
this  county  lie  remained  until  his  twenty-fifth  year,  when  he  became 
a  resident  of  Middlesex.  Four  years  after  his  settlement  in  Mid- 
dlesex, his  heart  was  brought  under  the  softening  influence  of  the 
spirit  of  God.  In  the  fall  of  1814  he  was  baptized  by  Elder  Philip 
T.  Montague,  and  attached  himself  to  the  Hermitage  Church,  of 
which  James  Healy  was  pastor.  Unlike  many  who  name  the  name 
of  Christ,  he  not  only  departed  from  iniquity,  but  engaged  actively 
in  every  good  word  and  work.  A  few  years  after  this  connec- 
tion. Hermitage  Church  was  left  destitute  by  the  death  of  her 
pastor.  This  circumstance  was  made  of  God  the  instrument  of 
leading  him  to  contemplate  the  great  work  of  preaching  publicly 
the  gospel.  The  church  encouraged  him  to  exercise  his  talents, 
and,  after  a  suitable  trial,  he  was  fully  inducted  into  the  ministe- 
rial oflice.     This  occurred  in  1823. 

He  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Hermitage  Church,  and  con- 
tinued in  this  sphere  of  labor  to  the  time  of  his  death.  Within 
the  limits  of  this  church  he  usually  occupied  two  Lord's  days  in 
each  month,  one  at  the  Upper  Church  and  the  other  at  Clark's 
Neck ;  he  also  preached  one  Sabbath  at  the  Old  Church  at  King 
and  Queen,  the  other  was  generally  occupied  in  attending  pro- 
tracted and  other  meetings  in  the  adjacent  counties.  In  the 
labors  which  were  thus  assumed,  the  time  was  most  diligently  em- 
ployed. He  became  eminently  popular  among  all  classes  of 
hearers,  and  by  his  brethren  was  much  beloved.  In  the  edifica- 
tion of  Christians,  his  ministry  was  much  blessed,  as  well  as  in 
the  conversion  of  sinners. 

In  1831  he  was  invited  to  the  charge  of  Bruington  Church, 
King  and  Queen  County,  which  invitation  he  accepted.  This 
church  had  enjoyed  the  personal  labors  of  the  venerated  Semple 
for  a  series  of  years.  To  succeed  such  a  man  required  no  small 
share  of  talent  and  piety,  and  it  is  an  evidence  of  the  high 
estimation  in  which  Elder  Claybrook  was  held  to  be  called  to 
this  station.     He  continued  to  preach  for  the  church  at  Bruing- 

VOL.  I.— 2  D  38* 


450  RICHARD  CLAYBROOK. 

ton  as  loug  as  lie  lived.  There  was  in  many  respects  a  striking 
similarity  between  himself  and  his  predecessor,  and  he  enjoyed  to 
considerable  extent  the  same  confidence  and  regard. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  he  employed  a  portion  of  his 
time  in  laboring  for  other  churches.  It  was  the  joy  of  his  heart 
to  preach  the  gospel,  and  perhaps  no  man  was  ever  more  cor- 
dially received  and  heard  in  the  several  neighborhoods  he  visited. 
Nor  was  the  favorable  attention  he  received  the  mere  empty  praise 
which  frequently  follows  the  man  of  showy  but  superficial  talents. 
He  was  not  only  admired,  but  loved,  because,  in  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity,  he  sought  to  do  the  people  good.  A  brief  sur- 
vey of  his  character,  as  a  Christian  and  a  minister,  will  show  how 
far  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  was  merited. 

He  was  pre-eminently  "a  good  man."  What  he  was  in  public, 
he  was  also  in  the  retirement  of  domestic  life.  He  loved  his 
Divine  Master,  and  served  him  with  unfeigned  faithfulness.  It 
was  evident,  wherever  he  was  seen,  that  he  delighted  in  the  law 
of  the  Lord.  He  was  a  regular  and  careful  reader  of  the  sacred 
volume,  and  particularly  conscientious  in  regarding  all  its  pre- 
cepts. He  was  remarkable  for  his  unaffected  simplicity  of  man- 
ners and  amiability  of  disposition.  In  his  dress  he  was  plain ; 
his  chief  adornment  was  that  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit. 

He  was  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  With  a  mind 
naturally  strong,  he  was  capable  of  originating  ideas  and  present- 
ing them  in  an  interesting  shape.  His  education  was  slender,  and 
although  more  than  thirty-five  years  of  age  when  he  entered  upon 
the  ministry,  he  devoted  himself  diligently  to  a  course  of  study,  and 
acquired  extensive  information,  especially  on  theological  subjects. 
He  was  an  interesting  speaker.  There  was  perhaps  too  much 
carelessness  of  style,  but  his  sermons  were  full  of  thought.  There 
were  sometimes  in  his  discourses  a  richness  and  sublimity  which 
astonished  all  who  heard  him.  On  such  occasions  no  one  could 
listen  to  him  without  being  convinced  that  the  speaker  was  giv- 
ing utterance  to  thoughts  originating  in  the  magnitude  and  im- 
portance of  the  subject  itself.  He  was  only  giving  vent  to  the 
fullness  of  a  heart  in  which  had  been  richly  shed  abroad  the  love 
of  Christ.  While  he  exhibited  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  illus- 
trating them  with  clearness,  his  design  was  not  to  amuse,  but  to 


PvICHARD   CLAYBROOK.  451 

improve  Ms  hearers.  He  sought,  by  manifestation  of  the  truth, 
to  commend  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God.  His  appeals  to  the  congregation  were  often  of  the  most 
pungent  character.  He  warned  the  wicked  to  flee  the  wrath  to 
come,  while  he  urged  his  brethren  to  engage  in  every  good  word 
and  work. 

He  was  a  friend  to  every  object  that  promised  to  be  the  means 
of  doing  good.  His  principles  were  drawn  from  the  school  of 
Christ,  and  the  benevolence  of  those  principles  prompted  him  to 
rejoice  in  all  plans  which  tended,  in  any  measure,  to  advance  the 
kingdom  and  glory  of  God.  Though  himself  an  uneducated 
man,  he  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Yir- 
ginia  Baptist  Education  Society.  Liberal  contributions  were 
furnished  by  him,  and  all  his  influence  was  employed  to  sustain 
the  rising  seminary,  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Richmond.  It 
afforded  him  the  sincerest  gratification  to  see  others  enjoying 
advantages  which  he  had  been  denied. 

The  temperance  cause  found  in  him  an  active  and  able  defender. 
The  following  anecdote,  as  related  by  a  ministering  brother,  will 
illustrate  the  characteristic  consistency  of  this  man  of  God :  "  Pass- 
ing through  Middlesex,  in  the  summer  of  182*7  or  1828, 1  was  kindly 
invited  by  Brother  C.  to  spend  a  night  at  his  house.  The  tem- 
perance cause  was  then  in  its  infancy  in  that  region.  The  evening 
was  mild  and  pleasant ;  we  were  sitting  in  the  porch,  in  full  view 
of  a  luxuriant  orchard,  that  spread  all  around  us  in  richness  and 
beauty.  This  sight,  together  with  the  fact  that  the  temperance 
question  was  then  in  some  degree  new,  naturally  led  us  to  make 
the  distillation  and  common  use  of  brandy  the  subject  of  our  con- 
versation. In  the  course  of  our  remarks.  Elder  C.  observed  to 
me,  that  he  was  at  first  not  very  friendly  to  the  temperance  cause, 
or  at  least  not  to  the  total  abstinence  principle;  that  he  looked 
upon  the  proposed  reformation,  by  means  of  societies,  as  alto- 
gether visionary.  Many  other  good  men  were  once  of  the  same 
way  of  thinking.  'But,'  said  this  man  of  God  to  me,  'I  was  re- 
cently cured  of  my  opposition  by  this  circumstance :  there  was  a 
member  of  our  church,  who,  though  in  other  respects  a  good  and 
orderly  man,  was  in  the  habit  of  occasionally  drinking  too  much. 
The  deacons,  and  perhaps  some  other  brethren,  had  talked  with 


452  RICHARD  CLAYBROOK. 

him  on  the  sin  and  danger  of  his  conduct,  but  without  any  per- 
manently good  result.  His  conduct  was  about  to  be  made  a  matter 
of  discipline.  But  I  concluded  that  I  would  myself,  as  pastor  of 
the  church,  make  an  effort  to  reclaim  him,  before  the  case  was 
acted  on  publicly.  I  accordingly  sought  and  obtained  an  inter- 
view with  him.  He  confessed  his  fault,  appeared  penitent,  and 
promised  to  do  better ;  to  drink  less  in  future.  I  advised  him 
to  quit  entirely,  as  the  only  hope  of  a  permanent  reformation. 
"But,"  said  he  to  me,  "Brother  Claybrook,  do  you  ever  drink?" 
Yery  little,  said  I ;  I  take  a  julep  in  the  morning,  with  my  family, 
and  a  little  toddy  before  dinner.  "  Well,  Brother  Claybrook,"  said 
he,  "  how  much  do  you  drink  a  day  on  an  average  ?"  Why,  I  don't 
know,  said  I,  perhaps  I  may  use  a  half  gill  or  so.  "Well, really," 
said  he,  "that  is  more  than  I  drink.  If  I  were  to  drink  that  much 
I  should  be  drunk  all  day  long ;  your  constitution  may  not  be  so 
easily  affected  by  it ;  but.  Brother  Claybrook,  you  drink  more  than 
I  do."  I  felt,'  continued  Elder  C.  to  me,  'mortified  and  con- 
demned, to  think  that  I  was  censuring  in  him  a  course  of  conduct 
which  I  myself  pursued,  and  that  I  was  advising  to  do  what  I  was 
not  doing.  From  that  moment  I  determined  to  use  no  more  my- 
self, nor  allow  its  use  in  my  family.  I  have  there,' pointing  to  his 
orchard, '  fruit  enough  to  make  hundreds  of  gallons  of  brandy,  and 
was  about  making  some  preparations  to  distil  it ;  but  I  shall  not 
make  a  drop.  Though  I  have  experienced  no  inconvenience  my- 
self from  the  use  of  it,  yet  I  am  determined,  so  far  as  my  influence 
is  concerned,  utterly  to  discountenance  the  making,  selling,  or 
using  it,  unless  purely  for  medical  purposes.' 

"His  still,  he  told  me,  might  sell  to  advantage,  but  as  that 
would  be  indirectly  to  encourage  the  making  of  spirit,  he  intended 
to  have  it  converted  into  culinary  utensils. " 

The  stand  which  he  uniformly  took  in  the  cause  of  temper- 
ance evinced  his  sincerity  in  the  determination  he  had  formed. 
Comment  is  unnecessary.  There  may  be,  even  at  this  late  day, 
some  brethren,  yea,  even  some  preachers,  who  would  do  them- 
selves and  the  cause  of  truth  no  harm  by  taking  a  hint  from  this 
anecdote. 

There  is  one  particular,  in  which,  while  the  disinterestedness  of 
Elder  Claybrook  is  manifest,  there  is  seen  also  a  delicacy  as  inju- 


RICHARD  CLAYBROOK.  453 

rious  as  it  is  unscriptural.  This  was  an  unwillingness  to  urge  on 
his  brethren  the  duty  of  ministerial  support.  He  thought  many 
of  them  remiss  in  this  respect,  and  referred  rather  confidentially, 
to  ministering  brethren,  to  this  defect.  And  yet,  lest  he  should 
be  thought  to  indulge  improper  motives,  he  never  allowed  himself 
to  speak  publicly  on  this  subject.  On  one  occasion,  when  a 
brother,  who  expected  to  preach  within  the  limits  of  his  pastoral 
labor,  expressed  his  intention  to  advert  to  this  duty,  he  was 
besought  by  Elder  Claybrook  to  pass  it  by  without  notice.  Such 
a  course  indeed  exempted  Elder  Claybrook  from  the  censure  of 
men  influenced  by  covetous  motives,  but  was  by  no  means  conso- 
nant with  the  directions  and  example  of  the  Apostle  Paul.  Some 
extenuation  may  indeed  be  found  in  the  peculiar  circumstances  by 
which  the  early  Baptists  in  Virginia  were  surrounded.  But  the 
minister  of  Christ  should  declare  all  the  counsel  of  God,  however 
unpopular  it  may  render  him.  Since  it  is  the  ordination  of  God, 
that  they  who  preach  the  gospel  should  live  of  the  gospel,  this 
subject  in  a  proper  spirit  should  be  clearly  preached  to  the 
churches.  At  the  same  time  every  pastor,  by  his  whole  life, 
should  prove  himself  to  be  above  the  low  principle  of  covetous- 
ness  in  discharging  this  duty. 

The  following  allusion  to  this  eminent  servant  of  Christ,  from 
the  pen  of  Elder  George  Northam,  of  Middlesex  County,  will  be 
interesting  to  all  the  readers  of  this  memoir :  "Having  been  well 
acquainted  with  Elder  Claybrook,  and  much  with  him  during  his 
public  ministry,  I  may  say,  he  possessed  naturally  a  vigorous  and 
penetrating  mind,  a  retentive  memory,  and  an  unusual  share  of 
good  sense.  His  education  was  such  as  was  generally  obtained 
in  the  common  country  school  during  his  youth ;  he  made  a  very 
good  use  of  it,  and  was  the  warm  friend  of  an  enlightened  minis- 
try. I  have  frequently  heard  him  say,  that  many  advocated  it 
because  they  possessed  it,  and  therefore  knew  its  advantages;  bat 
he  vindicated  it  because  he  knew  the  want  of  it.  After  he  com- 
menced preaching,  few  men  perhaps  studied  more  intensely  than 
he  did.  But  being  far  advanced  in  life,  his  studies  were  not  so 
much  directed  toward  the  improvement  of  his  education  as  to- 
ward acquiring  a  general  knowledge  of  the  sacred  volume,  in  which 
lie  succeeded  beyond  many  who  far  surpassed  him  in  literary  attain- 


454  RICHAUD  CLAYBEOOE. 

ments.  Being  naturally  fond  of  reading,  and  habitually  indus- 
trious, he  read  much  on  theology  to  great  advantage. 

"Although  his  preaching  was  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's 
wisdom,  yet  it  was  scriptural,  spiritual,  solemn,  and  impressive. 
His  peculiar  simplicity  and  earnestness  so  much  engaged  and 
riveted  the  attention  of  the  audience,  that  they  had  but  little  time 
or  disposition  to  attend  to  his  style.  They  were  constantly  kept, 
either  gazing  at  the  humble  man  of  God  before  their  vision,  or 
listening  to  his  prominent  descriptions  of  the  wicked,  and  of  the 
Christian  character.  He  generally  sustained  his  positions  by 
plain  and  strong  arguments,  and  by  passages  of  Holy  Writ.  His 
illustrations,  though  sometimes,  perhaps,  a  little  offensive  to  the 
delicate  ear,  were  nevertheless  well  applied.  The  responsibility 
of  sinners ;  faith,  repentance,  salvation  through  the  Saviour ;  a  holy 
and  pious  life,  and  activity  in  every  good  work,  were  the  themes 
on  which  he  mostly  dwelt  in  the  pulpit;  nor  did  he  press  one  of 
these  subjects  so  far  as  to  lessen  the  claims  or  hide  the  necessity 
of  another,  but  attached  to  each  its  respective  importance.  No 
persons,  it  is  presumed,  ever  became  better  pleased  with  them- 
selves and  their  own  inherent  goodness,  by  his  preaching  ;  but 
many,  it  is  hoped  and  believed,  have  become  more  pleased  with 
Christ  and  his  merits. 

"His  unassuming  manners,  his  uniform  and  exemplary  piety, 
not  only  commended  him  to  all  with  whom  he  was  acciuainted, 
but  placed  him  above  the  reach  of  reproach  by  his  enemies — if  it 
were  possible  for  such  a  man  to  have  any.  Perhaps  no  man,  in 
his  day,  excelled  him  in  prudence,  candor,  and  punctuality.  Bible, 
missionary,  temperance,  and  education  societies  found  in  him  a 
warm  friend  and  advocate — not  only  in  theory  but  in  practice. 
The  primary  object  at  which  he  seemed  constantly  to  aim  was  not 
to  be  great  and  splendid,  but  to  be  good  and  useful." 

His  ministerial  career  was  comparatively  short,  but  when  sum- 
moned away  by  death  he  was  not  unprepared.  He  had  indeed 
habitually  lived  with  his  "loins  girt  about,"  and  his  light  burning. 
When  in  perfect  health  he  would  frequently  speak  in  the  most 
familiar  and  cheerful  mannner  of  death  and  the  future  world.  "  If 
I  am  not  called  home,  I  may  be  with  you,"  was  a  common  reply, 
when  pressed  to  attend  distant  meetings.     He  was  attacked  with 


•RICHARD  CLAYBROOK.  455 

pleurisy,  November  23cl,  1834,  and  from  the  first  but  little  hope 
was  entertained  of  his  recovery.  The  subjoined  letter  from  one 
of  the  members  of  his  church  was  written  shortly  after  his  death : 
"  It  is  with  emotions  of  sincere  regret  that  I  have  to  apprise  you 
of  the  death  of  our  much  beloved  brother,  Richard  Claybrook. 
He  closed  his  earthly  pilgrimage  on  the  fourth  instant,  at  eight 
o'clock  P.M.,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  after  an  illness  of  eleven 
days,  which  he  bore  with  great  patience  and  resignation.  He 
evinced  from  the  first  a  strong  preference  to  change  worlds,  if 
consistent  with  the  will  of  God.  He  gave  numerous  evidences  of 
his  free  and  unshaken  confidence  in  the  Redeemer.  A  few  hours 
before  his  dissolution  he  remarked  to  a  member  of  one  of  the 
churches  of  which  he  was  pastor,  that  he  loved  every  member  of 
the  church,  and  if  it  was  the  will  of  Grod  for  him  to  remain,  he 
had  no  objection ;  but  for  him  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ, 
would  be  far  better.  To  another  brother,  he  said  that  he  had 
been  running  all  his  life  for  a  sure  prize,  and  that  Jesus  Christ 
could  not  tell  a  lie.  He  observed  that  no  one  knew  the  sufferings 
of  a  dying  man,  which  he  was  then  experiencing;  at  the  same 
time  appeared  to  draw  comfort  from  the  sentiment  of  the  Apostle, 
that  the  sufferings  of  the  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  glory  which  should  be  revealed  hereafter.  When 
told  that  he  was  sinking,  (in  compliance  with  a  wish  expressed  by 
him  in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,)  and  asked  whether  he  felt 
any  disposition  to  lengthen  out  his  stay  here,  he  promptly  replied, 
'No  :  not  for  one  hour.'  It  was  said  by  an  irreligious  gentleman, 
who  was  present,  that  amid  the  whole  weeping  group  that  sur- 
rounded him  during  his  last  hours,  there  seemed  to  be  but  one 
who  was  cheerful,  and  that  was  Mr.  Claybrook.  It  was  his  special 
request  that  no  funeral  sermon  be  preached ;  that  four  of  his 
brethren,  whom  he  named,  should  carry  his  body  to  the  grave ; 
that  two  hymns,  which  he  selected,  be  sung,  one  going  to  the  grave, 
the  other  returning:  and  that  the  service  be  concluded  by  prayer. 
The  first  hymu  was,  'Farewell,  vain  world,  I'm  going  home;'  and 
the  second,  'While  sorrows  encompass  me  round.'  He  also  re- 
quested, on  his  death-bed,  that  nothing  relative  to  his  death  be 
published ;  but  on  being  told  by  some  friends  present  that  some- 
thing would  be,  he  said,  if  you  do,  let  it  be  nothing  more  than  a 
poor  sinner  saved  by  grace." 


456  RICHARD  CLAYBROOK. 

Another  minister  in  furnishing  a  tribute  to  his  memory,  when 
he  heard  of  his  death,  says :  "By  a  letter  received  from  King  and 
Qneen  I  am  informed  of  the  recent  death  of  our  beloved  brother, 
the  Rev.  Richard  Claybrook.  He  fell  a  victim  to  his  uniform- 
zeal  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  By  exposure  to  some  of  those  in- 
clement rains  which  fell  on  several  Sabbaths  in  the  fall,  he  con- 
tracted a  pleurisy  which  resulted  in  his  death.  He  was  a  plain, 
warm-hearted,  old-fashioned,  Virginia  preacher,  of  strong  native 
intellect ;  in  the  Scriptures  well  informed ;  of  the  most  affectionate 
temper ;  of  the  most  unobtrusive  but  steady  and  consistent  zeal ; 
an  example  to  believers  in  word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in 
spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity.  He  had  a  good  report  of  them  that 
are  without,  and  was  ardently  loved  by  those  that  are  within. 
The  church  in  Bruington  have  thus,  within  a  short  time,  been 
deprived  of  two  invaluable  men,  Semple  and  Claybrook." 

An  interesting  fact  connected  with  the  sad  event  of  his  removal 
may  properly  close  this  sketch.  Two  of  the  most  influential 
brethren  of  the  ministry,  whose  praise  is  now  in  all  the  churches, 
were,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  brought  into  their  present  official 
position  by  the  tidings  of  his  death.  One  of  them  had,  a  short 
time  previous,  become  a  member  of  the  church,  and  when  it  was 
announced,  to  his  unspeakable  sorrow,  that  Claybrook  was  dead, 
and  that,  in  his  death,  was  lost  a  standard-bearer  among  the  hosts 
of  Zion,  the  impression  came  with  irresistible  power,  "I  must  take 
his  place."  He  thought  of  the  eloquent  tongue  now  silent  in 
death,  and  the  question  forced  itself  upon  his  heart,  "Shall  I  not 
plead  for  Jesus  ?"  He  began  to  speak  in  the  name  of  Christ,  and 
now  lives,  well  and  worthily,  to  proclaim  the  great  salvation. 
The  other  case  was  equally  remarkable.  A  man  of  the  world, 
loving  pleasure  and  pursuing  it,  was,  in  the  midst  of  it,  arrested 
by  an  overwhelming  concern  for  his  soul  by  the  announcement 
that  Mr.  Claybrook  had  been  called  away  by  death.  He  had 
been  one  of  his  admirers,  regarding  him  as  an  earnest,  consistent 
advocate  of  truth  and  righteousness,  and  now  the  desire  sprung 
up  in  his  heart  to  become  not  only  a  Christian,  but  a  preacher  of 
that  gospel  which  had  sounded  out  from  the  lips  of  his  departed 
friend.  The  pleasures  of  sin  were  resigned ;  deep  and  painful 
sorrow  in  view  of  the  past  was  cherished  ;  and  no  rest  was  known 


WILLIAM  A.  WOOD.  45'7 

until  found  in  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ.  Then  he  could  speak 
experimentally  of  the  value  of  spiritual  things,  and  soon  entered 
the  ministry.  Ever  since,  he  has  been  a  devoted  and  useful 
proclaimer  of  the  gospel. 

The  Lord  reigns.  He  calls  men  into  his  vineyard,  and,  when 
he  pleases,  dismisses  them.  Let  all  the  churches  trust  and  rejoice 
in  him. 


WILLIAM    A.   WOOD.* 

Elder  William  A.  Wood  was  born  in  Fluvanna  County, 
"Virginia,  February  8th,  1*769.  Before  he  was  three  years  old 
his  father  died,  leaving  him  and  four  other  children,  of  whom  he 
was  the  youngest,  to  the  care  of  their  widowed  mother.  Those 
who  have  attended  to  the  prqminent  events  connected  with  the 
history  of  our  country,  will  remember  that  his  youthful  years 
embraced  a  period  the  circumstances  of  v/hich  form  a  very  pro- 
minent link  in  the  chain  of  events  that  terminated  in  the  acknow- 
ledgment of  American  independence.  To  this  the  deceased 
attributed  the  almost  necessary  neglect  of  his  early  education. 
The  rich  patriot  found  it  difficult  to  afford  the  advantages  of 
education  to  his  rising  progeny,  and  the  poor,  though  so  disposed, 
found  it  utterly  impossible.  Among  the  latter  was  the  mother 
of  Mr.  Wood ;  and  he  was  consequently  deprived  of  the  means 
of  acquiring  the  most  ordinary  education.  A  portion  of  his 
youthful  energies  were  spent  in  the  service  of  his  country,  and  for 
three  years,  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  employed  in 
guarding  military  stores  in  the  vicinity  of  his  mother's  residence. 

The  scanty  intervals  of  leisure  which  he  could  control,  when, 
in  maturer  years,  he  was  engaged  as  an  apprentice  to  the  shoe 
and  boot  making  business,  were  directed  to  the  pursuit  of  know- 
ledge, and  he  thus  succeeded  in  making  himself  acquainted  with 
the  rudiments  of  reading,  writing,  and  plain  arithmetic.  In  1801 
he  married  Frances  Saunders,  a  native  of  the  same  county. 

*  By  Elder  William  C.  Ligon. 

VOL.   I.  39 


458  WILLIAM  A.  WOOD. 

Fraternal  affection  bound  Mm  to  the  place  of  his  nativity ;  nor 
did  lie  relinquish  the  care  of  his  widowed  mother  until  her  death. 
In  1810  he  sold  his  patrimony,  and  moved,  with  his  rising  family, 
to  the  County  of  Kenawha,  of  which  he  was  a  resident  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  His  moral  deportment  was  highly  commendable 
before  he  made  any  pretensions  to  vital  godliness,  having  been 
influenced  by  the  precept  and  example  of  a  godly  mother,  who 
sustained  the  character  of  a  pious  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
for  many  years.  In  1813  or  1814  the  typhus  fever  prevailed  to 
an  alarming  and  fatal  extent  in  the  vicinity  of  his  residence,  and 
he  was  one  of  the  comparatively  few  who  survived  an  attack  of 
that  disease.  This  he  afterwards  recognized  as  the  disciplinary 
Providence  which  admonished  him  of  the  necessity  of  immediate 
preparation  for  death  and  judgment.  He  saw  that  the  slighted 
mercy  of  God  had  signally  interposed  in  his  behalf,  and  snatched 
him  from  the  jaws  of  death,  while  others  had  fallen  victims  to  the 
same  disease.  This  reflection  wrought  in  him  deep  and  pungent 
convictions  of  his  guilt;  and  an  abiding  sense  of  the  ingratitude 
of  his  whole  life  so  fastened  upon  his  mind  as  not  only  to  create 
bitter  remorse  and  self-loathing  for  past  offences,  but  took  from 
him  all  hope  of  pardon,  save  from  the  superabounding  goodness 
of  God  through  the  atoning  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Shortly  after  he  had  experienced  a  sense  of  pardon,  he  esta- 
blished the  worship  of  God  in  his  family,  in  which  he  steadily 
persisted.  He  is  said  to  have  labored  under  some  difficulties  on 
the  subject  of  baptism,  which  were  removed,  as  the  result  of  a 
prayerful  examination  of  the  New  Testament.  Thus  having  the 
way  of  duty  made  plain,  he  presented  himself  as  a  candidate  for 
this  initiatory  ordinance  to  the  Baptist  church  which  worshiped 
at  the  upper  falls  of  Coal  River,  and  was  baptized  in  1815.  He 
was  considered  at  the  time  a  valuable  accession  to  the  church, 
and  his  subsequent  usefulness  proved  the  correctness  of  the 
opinion. 

Immediately  after  his  baptism  he  established  neighborhood 
prayer-meetings,  in  which  he  would  occasionally  invite  an  aged 
and  pious  colored  brother  to  participate.  God  owned  and  blessed 
his  efforts,  and  in  the  course  of  a  year  many  were  hopefully  con- 
verted and  added  to  the  church.     He  was  licensed  as  a  proba- 


WILLIAM   A.  WOOD.  459 

tioner  for  the  gospel  ministry  in  June,  1816,  in  which  character 
he  preached  until  August,  1819,  and  was  then  ordained  by  Elders 
Lee,  Newman,  and  Young.  His  influence  was  extensively  felt 
and  profitably  exercised  within  the  bounds  of  the  Teay's  Yalley 
Association,  to  which  his  labors  were  principally  confined. 
Several  of  the  churches  of  that  body  were  brought  into  existence 
through  his  instrumentality,  and  perhaps  not  one  of  its  constituent 
members  failed  to  derive  some  benefit  from  his  labors.  Some 
time  in  January,  1833,  he  was  confined  from  what  was  thought 
to  be  a  rheumatic  affection,  located  in  one  of  his  legs,  and 
although  the  pain  it  produced  was  frequently  excruciating,  yet  it 
was  not  attended  with  any  alarming  symptoms  until  a  few  hours 
before  his  death.  On  the  11th  of  February,  1833,  while  at  break- 
fast with  his  family,  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  and  for  a  short 
time  dei3rived  of  the  power  of  articulation.  After  having  reco- 
vered a  little  he  calmly  advised  the  family  of  his  approaching 
dissolution,  gave  suitable  admonitions  to  his  younger  children; 
requested  his  two  eldest  sons  to  attend  immediately  to  the 
equitable  adjustment  of  his  estate ;  and  having  thus  briefly  set 
his  house  in  order,  exclaimed,  "  God  take  my  soul !  my  Lord  and 
my  God  I"  and  calmly  sunk  to  rest,  having  passed  the  sixty-fourth 
year  of  his  age  but  nine  days. 

As  a  preacher.  Elder  Wood  was  plain  and  practical ;  his  ar- 
guments and  illustrations  were  deduced  almost  exclusively  from 
the  Bible,  while  his  general  deportment  gave  conclusive  evidence 
that  he  drank  deeply  of  the  spirit  of  that  inimitable  book ;  the 
numerous  quotations  which  he  invariably  employed  in  his  ser- 
mons afforded  evidence  no  less  conclusive  that  he  had  success- 
fully labored  to  imprint  the  word  indelibly  upon  his  memory.  He 
not  only  possessed  the  confidence  of  his  brethren,  and  as  the  re- 
sult of  theij'  choice,  officiated  as  Moderator  of  the  Association 
for  several  years  before  his  death,  but  no  man  had  a  better  report 
from  those  that  were  without.  His  piety  was  steady  and  com- 
manding, not  breaking  forth  with  occasional  lustre,  and  then 
shining  dimly  for  a  season,  but  he  held  on  the  even  tenor  of  his 
way.  Elder  Wood  did  not  live  to  identify  himself  with  either  of 
the  parties  which  have  since  existed  in  the  Association,  for  and 


460  LUTHER   RICE. 

against  the  benevolent  operations  of  tlie  day;  but  he  has  left 
behind  him  a  family  who  have  warmly  espoused  the  various  insti- 
tutions which  have  been  signally  blessed  of  God  in  the  meliora- 
tion of  so  many  of  our  sinful  race. 


LUTHER    RICE. 


A  MOURNFUL  satisfaction  is  indulged  by  the  biographer  in  sur- 
veying the  history  of  him  who  forms  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
It  has  been  thought  suitable  to  place  his  name  among  those  whose 
energies  were  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ  in  Virginia,  as  he  was 
deeply  interested  in  all  our  institutions,  and  felt  himself  in  a  measure 
identified  with  them.  Nothing  like  an  extended  biography  will  be 
attempted,  as  the  limits  of  this  work  will  not  allow  due  justice  to  be 
done  to  his  merits,  and  especially  as  it  is  superseded  by  a  memoir  in 
a  separate  volume  which  has  been  placed  before  the  public.  This 
volume  contains  a  rich  collection  of  facts  deserving  a  place  in  the 
library  of  every  American  Baptist.* 

Luther  Rice  was  born  in  Worthborough,  Worcester  County, 
Massachusetts.  From  earliest  youth  he  was  distinguished  for 
love  of  study  and  the  same  indomitable  perseverance  in  the  pro- 
secution of  favorite  objects  which  characterized  him  in  all  after 
life.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  he  possessed  a  mind  of  no  com- 
mon order,  and  the  best  facilities  were  allowed  by  his  parents  for 
its  cultivation.  While  prosecuting  his  preparatory  studies,  it 
pleased  Grod  to  reveal  his  Son  in  him,  and  to  make  him  an  heir 
of  eternal  life.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  at  once  was  recognized  among  the  most,  exemplary 
and  active  of  the  Lord's  servants.  Whenever  he  could  find  an 
opportunity  of  meeting  the  people  of  God  for  prayer  or  confer- 
ence it  was  embraced  with  joy,  and  soon  he  was  invited  to  lead  in 

*  A  memoir  of  Mr.  Rice  was  prepared  several  years  ago  by  James  B. 
Taylor,  and  published  ia  a  12mo.  volume  of  more  than  three  hundred 
pages.     Two  editions  have  been  issued. 


LUTHER   RICE.  461 

public  religious  exercises.  Feeling  it  to  be  an  imperative  duty  to 
devote  his  life  to  the  ministry,  and  desirous  to  obtain  a  thorough 
education,  he  entered  William  College  in  1807.  During  his  stay 
at  this  institution,  he  was  not  only  a  diligent  and  successful 
fStudent,  but  specially  devoted  to  Grod.  A  portion  of  his  time 
was  regularly  employed  in  attending  meetings  for  the  benefit  of 
persons  in  the  vicinity  of  the  college.  It  has  been  frequently 
stated  by  a  member  of  the  family  in  which  he  boarded,  that  he 
was  regarded  by  all  as  an  eminently  holy  man,  maintaining  habits 
of  intimate  communion  with  God,  and  giving  promise  of  extended 
usefulness  among  his  fellow-men.  It  was  during  his  collegiate 
course,  and  indeed  soon  after  his  entrance  into  the  college,  that 
his  attention  was  drawn  to  the  subject  of  missions.  Samuel  Gr. 
Mills  and  he,  with  one  or  two  other  students,  resolved  to  embrace 
the  first  opportunity  of  going  to  the  heathen.  At  the  same  time, 
among  the  students  at  Andover,  one  of  whom  was  Adoniram 
Judson,  were  three  or  four  who  were  meditating  the  consecration 
of  themselves  to  the  cause  of  missions. 

In  1810,  Mr.  Rice  united  with  five  of  his  brethren  in  address- 
ing the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts,  explaining  their 
own  views  and  feelings,  and  requesting  the  advice  of  their  more 
experienced  fathers.  After  the  paper  was  prepared,  his  name 
with  one  other  was  withdrawn  lest  the  churches  should  be  de- 
terred from  action  by  the  number  who  desired  to  be  sent  abroad. 
Their  application  at  first  excited  among  many  the  charge  of  rash- 
ness and  fanaticism,  and  met  decided  repulse.  But  they  had 
counted  the  cost  and  were  not  to  be  withstood  in  their  purpose  to 
preach  among  the  heathen  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
After  the  delay  of  some  months,  they  received  an  appointment  to 
labor  in  Burmah,  from  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for 
Foreign  Missions,  a  society  which  had  a  few  months  before  been 
organized.  On  the  6th  of  February,  1812,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  a  missionary,  in  the  Taber- 
nacle Church  in  Salem.  A  few  days  after,  in  company  with  Mr. 
Hall,  Mr.  Nott  and  lady,  he  sailed  from  Philadelphia  to  Calcutta. 
On  the  next  day  Messrs.  Judson  and  Kewell,  with  their  wives, 
sailed  for  the  same  place  from  Salem. 

It  will  serve  to  present  in  a  more  striking  light  the  circum- 

39* 


462  LUTHER    RICE. 

stances  attending  Mr.  Rice's  consecration  to  the  Foreign  Mission 
work,  by  introducing  a  letter  from  Mr.  Judson,  in  reply  to  some 
inquiries  on  the  subject : — 

"My  dear  Brother  Rice: — 

"You  ask  me  to  give  you  some  account  of  my  iirst  missionary 
impressions,  and  then  of  my  early  associates.  Mine  were  occa- 
sioned by  reading  Buchanan's  '  Star  in  the  East,'  in  the  year  1809, 
at  the  Andover  Theological  Seminary.  Though  I  do  not  now 
consider  that  sermon  as  peculiarly  excellent,  it  produced  a  very 
powerful  effect  on  my  mind.  For  some  days,  I  was  unable  to 
attend  to  the  studies  of  my  class,  and  spent  my  time  in  wonder- 
ing at  my  past  stupidity,  depicting  the  most  romantic  scenes  in 
missionary  life,  and  roving  about  the  college  rooms,  declaiming 
on  the  subject  of  missions.  My  views  were  very  incorrect,  and  my 
feelings  extravagant ;  but  yet  I  have  always  felt  thankful  to  God 
for  bringing  me  into  a  state  of  excitement,  which  was,  perhaps, 
necessary  in  the  first  instance,  to  enable  me  to  break  the  strong 
attachments  I  felt  to  home  and  country ;  and  to  endure  the  thought 
of  abandoning  all  my  wonted  pursuits  and  animating  prospects. 
That  excitement  soon  passed  away,  but  it  left  a  strong  desire  to 
prosecute  my  inquiries,  and  to  ascertain  the  path  of  duty. 

"It  was  during  a  solitary  walk  in  the  woods,  behind  the  col- 
lege, while  meditating  and  praying  on  the  subject,  and  feeling 
half  inclined  to  give  it  up,  that  the  command  of  Christ,  '  Go  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,'  was  pre- 
sented to  my  mind  with  such  clearness  and  power,  that  I  came  to 
a  full  decision,  and  though  great  difficulties  appeared  in  my  way, 
resolved  to  obey  the  command  at  all  events.  But,  at  that  period, 
no  provision  had  been  made  in  America  for  a  Foreign  Mission, 
and  for  several  months  after  reading  Buchanan,  I  found  none 
among  the  students  who  viewed  the  subject  as  I  did,  and  no 
minister  in  the  place  or  neighborhood  who  gave  me  any  encou- 
ragement; and  I  thought  I  should  be  under  the  necessity  of 
going  to  England  and  placing  myself  under  foreign  patronage. 

"My  earliest  missionary  associate  was  Xott,  who,  though  he 
had  recently  entered  the  seminary,  (in  the  early  part  of  1810,) 
was  a  member  of  the  same  class  with  myself.     He  had  considered 


LriHER   RICE.  4Q3 

the  subject  for  several  months,  but  had  not  fully  made  up  his  mind. 
About  the  same  time,  Mills,  Richards,  and  others  joined  the  semi- 
nary from  William  College,  where  they  had  for  some  time  been 
in  the  habit  of  meeting  for  prayer  and  conversation  on  the  subject 
of  missions ;  but  they  entered  the  junior  class,  and  had  several 
years  of  theological  study  before  them.  You  were  of  the  same 
standing,  but  from  some  engagement  (a  school  I  believe)  did  not 
arrive  so  soon,  though  you  ultimately  finished  your  course  before 
the  others,  and  joined  the  first  party  that  embarked.  Newell  was 
the  next  accession  from  my  own  class. 

"As  to  Hall,  he  was  preaching  at  Woodbury,  Connecticut.  I 
heard  that  he  once  thought  favorably  of  missions,  and  wrote  him 
a  short  letter.  He  had  just  received  a  call  to  settle  in  that  place, 
and  was  deliberating  whether  it  was  his  duty  to  accept  it  or  not 
when  the  letter  was  put  into  his  hand.  He  instantly  came  to  a 
decision,  and  the  next  rising  sun  saw  him  on  the  way  to  Andover. 
I  think  that  he  arrived  about  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Association  of  Ministers  at  Bradford,  in  the  summer  of  1810.  I 
do  not,  however,  recollect  him  present  at  that  meeting,  nor  was  his 
name  attached  to  the  paper  which  was  presented  to  the  Associa- 
tion, and  which  was  originally  signed  by  ISTott,  Newell,  Mills, 
Rice,  Richards,  and  myself;  though,  at  the  suggestion  of  Dr. 
Spring,  your  name  and  Richards's,  which  happened  to  stand  last, 
were  struck  off^  for  fear  of  alarming  the  Association  with  too 
large  a  number. 

"I  have  ever  thought  that  the  providence  of  God  was  con- 
spicuously manifested  in  bringing  us  all  together  from  different 
and  distant  parts.  Some  of  us  had  been  considering  the  subject 
of  missions  for  a  long  time,  and  some  but  recently.  Some,  and 
indeed  the  greater  part,  had  thought  chiefly  of  domestic  missions 
and  efforts  among  the  neighboring  tribes  of  Indians,  without  con- 
templating abandonment  of  country  and  devotement  for  life.  The 
reading  and  reflection  of  others  had  led  them  in  a  different  way ; 
and  when  we  all  met  at  the  same  seminary,  and  came  to  a  mutual 
understanding  on  the  ground  of  foreign  missions  and  onissions 
for  life,  the  subject  assumed  in  our  minds  such  an  overwhelming 
importance  and  awful  solemnity  as  bouud  us  to  one  another,  and 
to  our  purpose  more  firmly  than  ever.     How  evident  it  is,  that 


464  LUTHER   RICE. 

the  spirit  of  God  had  been  operating  in  different  places  and  upon 
different  individuals,  preparing  the  way  for  those  movementa 
which  have  since  pervaded  the  American  churches,  and  will  con- 
tinue to  increase  until  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  anointed." 

Referring  to  this  eventful  period  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  Mr. 
Rice  observes :  "After  the  Society  of  Inquiry  at  Andover  was 
well  established,  the  views  of  the  brethren  were  turned  very  much 
toward  the  East.  Jndson  was  the  first,  as  far  as  I  know,  who 
mentioned  Burmah.  He  had  read  Buchanan's  '  Star  in  the  East,' 
his '  Christian  Researches  in  Asia,'  and  '  Captain  Simon's  Embassy 
to  Ava.'  He  insisted  that  the  east  afforded  much  the  widest  and 
most  promising  field  for  missionary  exertions,  and  that  the  path 
of  duty  led  in  that  direction.  Six  months  after  Mills  and 
Richards  joined  the  Theological  Institution  at  Andover,  it  oc- 
curred to  me  (always  pushing  forward)  that  by  leaving  half  a  year 
behind  at  college,  and  joining  half  a  year  in  advance  at  Andover, 
I  could  save  a  year  between  the  two ;  and  yet,  by  diligent  appli- 
cation, accomplish  the  studies,  so  as  to  sustain  the  requisite  ex- 
aminations with  my  classmates  in  both  institutions,  which,  with 
the  concurrence  of  the  president  and  his  recommendation,  was 
carried  into  effect,  and  I  became  connected  with  those  at  Ando- 
ver, who  were  a  year  before  me  at  "William  College.  Here  I 
became  acquainted  with  Judson,  but  chiefly  in  the  meetings  of 
the  secret  society,  as  he  was  but  little  at  Andover  after  I  entered 
that  seminary. 

"In  June,  1810,  Gordon  Hall,  who  had  been  preaching  for 
some  time,  and  who  had  been  invited  to  become  the  pastor  of  a 
church  in  Connecticut,  came  to  Andover  to  consult  with  the  pro- 
fessors, whether  he  ought  not  to  hold  himself  devoted  to  mission- 
ary labor  among  the  heathen.  (Oh  !  how  I  love  to  trace  important 
results  to  minute  incidents  !)  It  happened  to  be  but  a  day  or  two 
before  the  meeting  of  the  General  Association  of  all  the  evangeli- 
cal part  of  the  ministers  of  Massachusetts,  at  Bradford,  where 
the  parents  of  Ann  Haseltine  lived,  ten  miles  from  the  Institution, 
in  Andover. 

"The  coming,  and  object  of  the  coming  of  Hall,  so  enlivened 
the  missionary  sentiments  and  feelings,  particularly  in  the  bosoms 


LUTHER   RICE.  465 

of  the  members  of  the  Society,  that  Judson  immediately  wrote 
the  memorial  which  you  see  in  the  memoirs  of  Mrs.  Jadson,  ad- 
dressed to  that  body  of  ministers,  which  was  subscribed,  in  the 
first  instance,  Adoniram  Judson,  Jr.,  Samuel  JS'ott,  Jr.,  Samuel  J 
Mills,  Samuel  ]S]"ewell,  James  Richards,  Luther  Rice.  The  last 
two  names  were  subsequently  taken  off,  from  a  fear  that  the  ap- 
pearance of  so  many  under  such  impressions  of  mind,  when 
nothing  had  been  previously  known  of  this  matter,  not  even  by 
the  professors,  whose  pupils  thus  suddenly  burst  forth  in  an  atti- 
tude so  peculiar,  should  create  something  of  the  nature  of  alarm, 
as  if  some  kind  of  fanaticism  had  seized  the  minds  all  at  once  of 
the  young  ministers. 

"  The  Association  appointed  a  committee,  to  whom  the  memo- 
rial was  referred,  and  who  reported  favorably;  in  consequence, 
nine  commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  same  body,  five  of 
Massachusetts  and  four  of  Connecticut,  who  met  in  Connecticut 
in  September  of  the  same  year,  and  formed  the  Constitution  of 
the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions. 
This  body,  which  thus  emanated  from  that  little  secret  society  of 
youth  formed  at  Williams  College,  in  1807,  (of  which  I  esteem 
it  the  happiest  point  in  all  my  life  to  have  been  one  of  the  original 
members,)  now  embraces  the  entire  Congregational  and  Presby- 
terian denomination,  and  employs  from  a  hundred  and  fifty  thou- 
sand to  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  annually  in  their  missionary 
exertions.  From  this  arose  the  Baptist  General  Convention, 
formed  in  1814 ;  and  since,  more  or  less  distinctly  out  of  the  same 
range  of  evangelical  influence,  the  American  Bible  Society,  the 
American  Tract  Society,  the  Columbian  College,  the  !N"ewtou 
Theological  Institution,  and  I  know  not  how  many  other  things 
of  more  or  less  importance.  Glory  be  to  God !  attempt  great 
things — expect  great  things." 

An  event  will  now  be  recorded,  which,  considered  in  all  its 
singular  coincidences  and  powerful  results,  was  evidently  under 
the  special  direction  of  the  great  Head  of  the  church.  We  refer 
to  the  change  of  sentiment  underwent  by  three  of  this  noble  band 
on  the  subject  of  baptism.  All  their  early  habits  of  thought  and 
association,  and  every  feeling  of  interest,  uttered  a  voice  in  oppo- 
sition to  this  step.     They  were  entire  strangers  to  the  Baptist 

VOL.  I. — 2  E 


466  LUTHER  RICE. 

denomination,  and  as  yet  they  could  expect  but  little  support  from 
them  in  carrying  on  the  missionary  enterprise.  But  the  mandate 
of  their  ascended  Saviour  was  with  them  sufficient  to  determine 
their  course.  "What  in  this  circumstance  was  especially  remarkable 
appears  in  the  fact  that,  while  Mr.  Judson  on  his  voyage  was 
examining  the  subject  of  baptism,  Mr.  Rice,  in  another  vessel, 
without  any  previous  concert,  was  engaged  in  the  same  process 
of  investigation. 

Referring  to  this  circumstance.  Dr.  Carey  remarks :  "Brother 
Rice  was,  on  the  voyage,  thought  by  our  brethren  to  be  the  most 
obstinate  friend  of  Pedobaptism  of  any  of  our  missionaries.  I 
cannot  tell  what  has  led  to  this  change  of  sentiment,  nor  had  I 
any  suspicion  of  it,  till  one  morning  when  he  came,  before  I  was 
up,  to  examine  my  Greek  Testament ;  from  some  questions  which 
he  asked  that  morning  I  began  to  suspect  that  he  was  inquiring; 
but  I  yesterday  heard  that  he  was  decidedly  on  the  side  of 
believers'  baptism.  I  expect,  therefore,  that  he  will  soon  be  bap- 
tized." On  the  first  of  November,  he  was  buried  with  Christ  by 
baptism,  in  the  City  of  Calcutta,  Mr.  Judson  and  lady  having 
previously  taken  the  same  step. 

With  respect  to  the  change  which  was  experienced  by  Mr.  Rice, 
no  doubt  can  be  indulged  that  it  was  preceded  by  the  same 
prayerful  and  protracted  investigation.  The  struggle  between 
the  convictions  of  truth  and  prejudice  was  severe  and  desperate. 
He  found  himself  exceedingly  reluctant  to  break  the  denomina- 
tional ties  which  bound  him  to  so  many  of  those  in  whose  piety 
he  had  the  fullest  confidence,  and  to  unite  himself  with  a  people 
to  which  he  had  been  comparatively  a  stranger.  He  knew,  too, 
that  in  the  event  of  a  change  he  should,  with  many,  subject  his 
character  to  reproach,  and  no  longer  be  recognized  as  the 
authorized  missionary  of  the  Board.  While  all  the  means  of 
support  would  thus  be  cut  off,  he  was  entirely  uncertain  as  to  the 
measure  of  countenance  which  would  be  given  to  missionary 
operations  by  the  Baptists.  There  was  no  earthly  motive  in 
favor  of  the  change ;  every  selfish  consideration  was  against  it. 
Under  these  circumstances  we  might  expect  him  to  ponder  well 
his  steps,  and  to  proceed  no  farther  than  the  most  solemn  con- 
victions of  duty  should  require.     During  the  progress  of  these' 


LUTHER  RICE.  46'7 

investigations  lie  appeared  as  the  advocate  of  infant  baptism 
whenever  he  conversed  witli  Baptists,  not  allowing  them  to  know 
the  scruples  which  had  taken  possession  of  his  mind  until  a  short 
time  previous  to  his  requesting  baptism. 

The  following  extract  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Judson  will  be  read 
with  interest,  as  it  throws  additional  light  on  this  part  of  the 
biography.  "Mr.  Rice  arrived  in  Calcutta  about  six  weeks'  after 
those  of  us  who  sailed  from  Salem.  At  that  time  I  was  deeply 
involved  in  the  subject  of  baptism,  which  I  had  begun  to  investi- 
gate on  board  ship,  and  I  soon  learned  that  some  of  the  passen- 
gers from  Philadelphia  were  in  a  similar  position,  and  that  Mr. 
Rice  had  rather  distinguished  himself  by  reading  everything 
within  his  reach  and  manifesting  uncommon  obstinacy  in  defending 
the  old  system. 

"Soon  after  my  baptism  he  came  to  live  with  me,  in  order  to 
enjoy  better  accommodations  than  he  found  elsewhere.  At  first 
he  was  disposed  to  give  me  fierce  battle ;  but  I  held  off",  and 
recommended  him  to  betake  himself  to  the  Bible  and  prayer.  He 
did  so,  and  lived  much  by  himself,  so  that  I  seldom  saw  him, 
except  at  meals.  But  his  inquiries,  when  we  met,  soon  assumed 
that  cool  and  solemn  air  which  left  me  no  doubt  as  to  what  would 
be  the  result  of  his  investigation.  His  mind  remained  undecided 
throughout  the  month  of  September;  so  that,  though  perhaps  he 
expected  to  become  a  Baptist,  he  signed  the  joint  letter  of  the 
brethren  which  you  allude  to,  as  a  thing  of  course,  though  that 
letter  mentions  my  change  of  sentiment  as  a  'trying  event,'  and 
states  the  inexpediency  of  our  laboring  in  the  same  missionary 
field.  In  the  month  of  October,  his  mind  became  fully  decided, 
and  he  was  baptized  on  the  first  of  November.  In  all  this  I  dis- 
cover not  the  slightest  inconsistency,  though  persons  at  a  distance, 
and  not  acquainted-  with  the  circumstances,  might  make  the 
desired  discovery. 

"Both  Mr.  Rice  and  myself  have  been  accused  of  changing  our 
sentiments  suddenly,  prematurely,  and,  of  course,  through  the 
influence  of  interested  motives.  The  truth  is,  that  a  Pedobaptist 
examining  the  subject  of  baptism,  though  about  convinced  of  the 
truth,  is  reluctant  to  communicate  the  real  state  of  his  mind,  even 
to  his  nearest  friends,  lest  he  should  finally  resettle  in  his  old 


468  LUTHER  RICE. 

sentiments,  and  be  ashamed  to  have  it  known  that  he  ever  had  a 
serious  doubt  on  the  subject.  The  consequence  is,  that  when  he 
can  hold  out  no  longer,  and  the  unexpected  fact  is  thrust  perhaps 
unceremoniously  into  the  faces  of  his  friends,  they  all  stand  aghast, 
and  are  ready  to  ascribe  his  change  to  any  other  than  an  honest 
influence." 

In  a  letter  to  his  parents,  dated  November  second,  Mr.  Rice  says : 
"Whatever  may  be  the  consequence  of  this  change,  as  it  respects 
the  Board  of  Commissioners  and  my  numerous  Christian  friends 
in  America,  I  cannot  say,  nor  am  I  very  anxious  about  it,  though 
by  no  means  indifferent  to  public  opinion  or  insensible  to  the 
delicacy  and  serious  responsibility  of  my  situation ;  but  let  con- 
sequences be  what  they  may,  I  hope  nothing  shall  deprive  me  of 
the  consolation  resulting  from  a  conscience  void  of  offence.  Yes- 
terday, I  was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ward,  and  enjoyed  the 
privilege  of  uniting  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Calcutta  in  cele- 
brating the  sacred  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  It  was  a 
comfortable  day  to  my  soul !" 

In  a  subsequent  communication,  addressed  to  his  brother,  he 
thus  gives  vent  to  his  feelings  on  this  subject:  "Little  did  I 
think,  dear  brother,  when  conversing  with  you  respecting  Mr.  Gr., 
that  I  should  so  soon  belong  to  the  same  denomination  with  him — 
a  denomination  which  I  had  thought,  in  no  small  degree,  repre- 
hensible for  party  feeling  and  sectarian  conduct.  I  now  believe 
that  these  things  are  not  more  justly  chargeable  to  the  Baptists 
than  other  denominations  of  professed  Christians.  It  has,  indeed, 
been  no  small  trial  to  me  to  change  my  sentiments  in  a  situation 
so  conspicuous  and  delicate  and  so  highly  responsible,  though  I 
now  conceive  it  to  be  a  distinguished  favor  of  Divine  Providence." 

These  extracts  furnish  unequivocal  evidence  that  the  subject  of 
this  memoir  was  compelled  to  unite  with  the -Baptists  by  the  stern 
demands  of  duty.  He  knew  not,  as  he  remarked,  what  would  be 
the  consequence ;  but  he  was  willing  to  trust  in  the  Lord  and  do 
good,  believing  that  necessary  guidance  and  support  would  be 
bestowed.  Too  many  instances  are  found  among  the  professed 
followers  of  Christ  in  which  worldly  policy  or  convenience  is 
allowed  to  control  their  minds,  preventing,  if  not  the  performance 
of  known  duty,  the  investigation  of  its  claims,     A  distinction  is 


LUTHER  RICE.  469 

made  between  essentials  and  non-essentials,  and  if  the  former  be 
complied  with,  it  is  considered  quite  pardonable  to  dispense  with 
the  latter.  This  spirit  of  compromise  is  far  from  being  consistent 
with  the  devotion  which  should  be  cherished  by  a  soul  bought 
with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  It  is  the  result  of  a  selfishness 
which  would  say,  I  am  willing  to  do  what  is  essential  to  secure 
heavenly  bliss,  rather  than  inquire,  How  shall  I  best  please  and 
honor  him  who  died  for  me  and  rose  again  ?  All  must  perceive 
that  the  latter  question  is  that  which  should  constantly  press  upon 
the  conscience  and  interest  the  heart  of  one  who  justly  contem- 
plates his  responsibilities  to  an  infinitely  gracious  Redeemer. 

Thus,  for  conscience'  sake,  they  were  separated  from  those  on 
whom  they  were  dependent  for  support,  and  it  was  determined 
that  Mr.  Rice  should  return  to  America  for  the  purpose  of  bring- 
ing the  interest  of  pagan  nations  before  the  attention  of  the 
Baptist  denomination.  He  sailed  for  this  country  in  March,  1813. 
Upon  his  arrival  he  visited  a  large  number  of  churches,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  awakening  a  lively  concern  for  the  perishing  heathen. 
ISTumerous  missionary  societies  were  organized,  chiefly  by  his 
direct  instrumentality;  and  in  the  spring  of  1814  the  Baptist 
General  Convention  was  formed. 

Although  he,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  were  at  once  appointed 
by  the  Convention  as  their  missionaries,  it  was  deemed  advisable 
that  Mr.  Rice  should  remain  in  the  United  States  for  the  purpose 
of  forming  auxiliary  societies  and  creating  a  permanent  interest 
in  the  mission  throughout  the  entire  denomination.  Accordingly 
he  visited  almost  every  part  of  the  Union,  and  was  successful 
beyond  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  the  Boai'd.  He  con- 
tinued to  prosecute  the  duties  of  his  agency  for  several  years,  and 
nothing  could  exceed  his  ardor  and  enterprise  in  this  his  favorite 
employ.  No  surmountable  impediments  were  allowed  to  obstruct 
his  course,  no  privations  or  sufferings  were  regarded,  while  he 
could  in  any  way  promote  the  cause  of  his  Master. 

The  follovidng  extract  from  one  of  his  annual  reports  will  fur- 
nish a  correct  specimen  of  his  feelings  and  habits  while  engaged 
in  this  agency : — 

"  Since  the  date  of  my  letter  of  the  19th  of  June,  1816,  I  have 
traveled  6600  miles,  in  populous  and  in  dreary  portions  of  country, 

VOL.    I.  40 


470  LUTHEIl  RICE, 

through  wildernesses  and  over  rivers,  across  mountains  and  val- 
leys, in  heat  and  cold,  by  day  and  by  night,  in  vreariness,  and  pain- 
fulness,  and  fastings,  and  loneliness ;  but  not  a  moment  has  been 
lost  for  want  of  health ;  no  painful  calamity  has  fallen  to  my  lot ; 
no  peril  has  closed  upon  me ;  nor  has  fear  been  permitted  to  prey 
on  my  spirits,  nor  even  inquietude  to  disturb  my  peace.  Indeed, 
constantly  has  the  favorable  countenance  of  society  toward  the 
great  object  of  the  mission  animated  my  hopes,  while  thousands 
of  condescending  personal  attentions  and  benefits  to  myself  and 
the  cause  have  awakened  emotions  which  it  is  alike  impossible  to 
conceal,  or  to  find  terms  sufficiently  delicate  and  expressive  to  de- 
clare ;  and  the  fact  that  although  so  large  a  portion  of  the  whole 
time  has  been  unavoidably  taken  up  in  passing  from  place  to  place, 
I  have,  besides  many  other  aids  and  liberalities,  received  for  the 
missionary  object,  in  cash  and  subscription,  more  than  $4000, 
could  not  fail  to  crearte  a  confidence  of  success  in  the  general  con- 
cern, which  nothing  but  a  reverse,  most  unlikely  to  occur,  can 
possibly  destroy.  This  fact,  too,  is  the  more  animating  and  sus- 
taining, because,  while  the  sum  is  but  little  larger  than  what  passed 
through  my  hands  last  year,  the  time  of  collecting  it  has  been 
considerably  shorter,  and  a  much  smaller  proportion  of  it  consists 
of  remittances  from  mission  societies ;  remittances  being  this  year 
made  by  the  delegates  to  the  convention.  This,  therefore,  in  con- 
junction with  the  multiplying  of  mission  societies,  especially  con- 
sidering some  other  things  not  necessary  to  be  here  mentioned,  marks 
decisively  a  regularly  growing  increase  of  evangelic  missionary  zeal ; 
and  who  can  repress  the  exclamation,  the  Lord  hath  done  great 
things  for  us/  blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  who  only  doeth  won- 
drous things;  and  let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  his  glory  f" 
Among  other  objects  which  earlier  engaged  the  attention  of 
Mr.  Ptice  was  the  cause  of  education.  He  saw  the  necessity  of 
elevating  the  standard  of  ministerial  improvement  among  the  Bap- 
tists, and  applied  himself  with  unwearied  diligence  to  this  work. 
In  1821  the  Columbian  College  was  chartered,  and  commenced 
its  operations  under  most  favorable  auspices.  At  that  time  but 
few  colleges  and  seminaries  of  learning  had  been  fostered  among 
the  Baptists.  It  was  deemed  by  Mr.  Rice  an  object  of  vital  im- 
portance to  rear  a  central  institution  of  high  literary  character, 


LUTHER  RICE.  4tl 

whicli  should  collect  the  most  promising  talents  of  our  country, 
and  afford  facilities  for  the  education  of  those  young  men  who 
might  be  licensed  by  the  churches  to  preach  the  gospel.  The 
history  of  this  institution  is  well  known.  For  its  welfare  he  spent 
the  best  of  his  days.  Although  it  has  not  answered  all  the  expec- 
tations of  its  friends,  it  has  been  eminently  useful.  Many  of  the 
best  and  most  talented  of  our  ministry  have  been  educated  within 
its  walls. 

Some  have  been  inclined  to  attribute  all  the  reverses  of  the  col- 
lege to  the  mismanagement  of  its  agent.  That  in  some  things  he 
did  wrong,  it  will  not  be  denied,  and  it  will  also  be  conceded  that 
as  a  financier  he  was  not  skilled ;  but  there  were  others  who  equally 
with  him  were  entitled  to  a  share  of  the  blame.  In  1826  the  col- 
lege was  separated  from  the  Baptist  General  Convention,  and  after 
this  period  he  ceased  to  be  the  authorized  agent  of  the  board.  He 
however  continued  to  employ  his  time  and  talents  in  endeavoring  to 
relieve  the  institution  from  its  heavy  embarrassments.  To  the  end 
of  life  this  object  engrossed  his  chief  attention.  Still  he  was  not 
indifferent  to  the  various  other  plans  of  exertion  connected  with 
the  spread  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  His  conversation  in  the 
social  circle,  his  pulpit  labors,  and  his  addresses  at  associational 
and  missionary  meetings,  were  all  powerfully  influential  in  exciting 
the  spirit  of  universal  philanthropy.  Although  it  may  be  doubted 
by  some  whether  he  did  right  in  not  ultimately  joining  his  early 
coadjutors  in  the  mission  field,  there  is  decided  proof  that  the 
Baptists  of  this  country  owe  more  to  him  in  regard  to  the  educa- 
tion and  mission  cause  than  to  any  other  man.  It  is  questionable 
whether  many  other  men  among  us  have,  with  such  unwearied 
assiduity  and  disinterested  devotion,  given  themselves  to  the  in- 
terest of  truth  and  righteousness.  In  the  Southern  States,  and 
especially  Virginia,  his  influence  will  be  felt  while  time  endures. 
From  his  earliest  labors  as  an  agent  he  was  exercising  a  power 
over  men's  minds,  and  giving  them  a  holy  direction.  Eternity 
alone  will  develop  the  amount  of  good  which  has  been  effected  by 
his  instrumentality. 

It  will  be  gratifying  to  the  reader  to  know  that  the  first  impalse 
to  labor  for  the  dying  heathen  which  the  devoted  Kincaid  received, 
was  produced  by  one  of  Mr.  Bice's  sermons.     In  a  letter  from 


472  LUTHER  RICE, 

Mr. Eancaid,  dated  February  12th,  1835,  he  thus  writes:  "It  is 
impossible  for  me  to  forget  the  first,  and  the  only  time  I  have  ever 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  I  heard  you  preach  three  times 
in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours,  on  the  subject  of  carrying  the 
gospel  to  benighted  India.  From  that  day  onward  I  thought  of 
the  heathen  world ;  an  impression  was  made  which  time  could  not 
efface,  and  I  began  to  pray  for  pagans  of  every  land.  Tour 
preaching,  which  first  led  me  to  think  of  being  a  missionary  among 
the  heathen,  is  as  fresh  in  my  mind  as  though  it  was  but  yester- 
day." 

The  limits  of  this  sketch  will  not  permit  us  much  farther  to  con- 
template the  labors  of  this  devoted  man.  From  the  ample  mate- 
rials collected,  the  biographer  has  already,  in  a  distinct  volume, 
selected  and  arranged  facts  which  cannot  fail  to  interest  the  reader. 
A  brief  reference  to  the  character  of  Mr.  Rice  will  now  be  added 
from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Going :  "He  possessed  a  vigorous, 
discriminating,  and  comprehensive  mind.  There  were  in  its  con- 
stitution the  stamina  of  mental  greatness,  and  it  had  been  well 
trained  by  a  good  education,  and  enriched  by  reading,  acquaint- 
ance with  society,  and  much  reflection.  He  took  enlarged  and 
accurate  views  of  all  subjects  which  fell  within  the  circle  of  his 
observation. 

"He  had  great  decision  of  character.  Indeed  this  maybe  said 
to  have  been  his  distinguishing  characteristic.  He  w^as  naturally 
ardent  and  adventurous,  and  felt  great  confidence  in  his  own 
powers,  and  the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed  tended  to 
fix  and  consolidate  this  trait  of  character.  When  he  returned  to 
this  country,  and  entered  on  a  course  of  efforts  to  sustain  foreign 
missions,  the  enterprise  was  new  to  our  people,  and  they  were 
without  the  lights  of  experience ;  all  turned  their  eyes  to  Mr.  R, 
as  a  kind  of  oracle,  and  his  opinions  were  almost  of  course  adopted 
And  as  he  became  acquainted  with  those  with  whom  he  was  asso- 
ciated, it  is  not  improbable  that  he  perceived  that  generally,  how- 
ever ardently  attached  to  the  cause  of  missions,  they  would  not 
add  much  to  him  in  conference,  and,  of  course,  that  he  must  con- 
sult himself  chiefly,  in  order  to  accomplish  the  object  before  him. 
Besides,  he  met  with  no  small  measure  of  opposition  from  many 
who  should  have  strengthened  his  hands  and  aided  his  efforts; 


LUTHER  RICE.  473 

and  opposition  tends  greatly  to  strengthen  the  decided  cha- 
racter. And  again,  he  at  length  found  himself  deserted  by  many 
who  had  stricken  hands  with  him,  and  from  whom  he  seemed 
to  have  a  right  to  expect  better  things;  and  desertion,  too,  more 
than  almost  any  other  thing,  seems  to  strengthen  such  a  mind, 
though  it  may  break  down  one  which  is  naturally  feeble  and 
irresolute. 

"  We  have  proof  of  this  trait  in  his  character,  not  only  in  his 
enterprise  of  awakening  the  denomination  to  missionary  effort, 
and  his  perseverance  in  efforts  to  accomplish  it  amid  discourage- 
ments, but  especially  in  the  pertinacity  with  which  he  clung  to  the 
college  when  it  was  nearly  deserted  by  its  friends,  and  apparently 
sinking  under  its  misfortunes.  And  an  illustration  of  it  is  afforded 
in  an  incident  which  occurred  in  1832.  While  at  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  Mr.  E..  had  a  slight  paralytical  affection,  and  was 
informed,  by  the  attending  physician,  that  he  would  probably  be 
soon  visited  by  a  recurrence  of  the  shock,  which  would  terminate 
his  life.  A  friend  asked  him  if  he  was  ready  to  die.  To  the  in- 
quiry, he  replied :  '  Yes,  though  I  should  like  to  bring  up  the  col- 
lege first.'     This  is  almost  an  instance  of 

'The  ruling  passion  strong  in  death.' 

It  is  not  improbable  that  this  attribute  of  character  betrayed  him 
into  some  imprudences,  which  were  in  the  issue  as  much  regretted 
by  himself  as  they  were  by  others. 

"  He  was  eminently  disinterested.  For  twelve  years  he  labored 
incessantly  and  laboriously  for  the  small  pittance  of  $400  per 
annum  beyond  his  traveling  expenses.  We  doubt  whether  there 
was  an  individual  in  the  United  States  who  endured  so  much  ex- 
posure, who  traveled  so  extensively,  and  who  at  the  samfe  time 
preached  so  much ;  and  we  doubt,  also,  whether  there  are  more 
than  a  very  few  who  could  endure  so  much.  To  meet  the  wants 
of  the  college,  he  eventually  relinquished  all  these  small  savings, 
together  with  some  $2000  or  $3000,  which  he  inherited  as  a 
patrimony;  so  that  in  1826  he  was  without  a  cent  in  the  world. 
From  that  time  till  his  death,  he  traveled  almost  constantly  to 
preach  and  to  collect  for  the  college,  without  the  least  support 
from  the  college  or  salary  from  any  other  institution.     Indeed, 

40* 


4U  LUTHER   RICE. 

we  believe  that  lie,  in  a  great  measure,  defrayed  his  traveling  ex- 
penses from  the  sale  of  a  few  i*eligious  books,  while  the  balance 
was  borne  by  individual  friends,  who  also  furnished  him  with  his 
wearing  apparel.  And,  at  his  death,  we  suspect  that  his  horse 
and  sulky  constituted  all  his  earthly  treasure,  and  these  he 
directed  to  be  forwarded  to  Washington,  saying  that  all  belonged 
to  the  college.  And  though  some  of  his  enemies  maliciously  ac- 
cused him  of  embezzling  funds  committed  to  his  charge,  and 
though  many  doubted  the  wisdom  of  some  of  his  plans,  it  is  be- 
lieved that  no  man  acquainted  with  the  facts  even  suspected  him 
of  speculation  or  dishonesty.  In  a  word,  if  we  have  ever  known 
a  disinterested  man,  that  man  was  Luther  Rice. 

"Mr.  Rice  was  distinguished  for  great  elasticity  of  mind,  and 
an  exuberant  flow  of  animal  feeling.  He  was  apparently  always 
cheerful  and  always  buoyant  with  hope.  We  remember  hearing 
his  eldest  brother  say  of  him  :  '  Luther  always  looked  for  pros- 
perity, and  he  always  expected  that  to-morrow  would  be  not  only 
a  fair  day,  but  a  little  fairer  than  to  day.'  This  cheerfulness  of 
temper  sometimes  led  him  into  slight  improprieties,  which  were 
spoken  of  with  regret  by  his  friends,  and  seized  on  by  the  enemies 
of  the  great  cause  he  advocated  as  an  argument  against  his  piety, 
though  those  who  knew  him  best  believed  him  a  genuine  Chris- 
tian. For  the  last  few  years  of  his  life,  however,  he  was  more 
solemn  in  his  manner  of  conversation,  and  uniformly  devout  in 
his  habits.  His  cheerfulness  was  evidently  chastened  into  greater 
sobriety,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  his  heart  was 
more  fully  sanctified.  We  believe  that  he  admitted  and  lamented 
his  former  levity ;  it  seems  to  have  been  his  temptation,  as  de- 
spondency, or  fretfulness,  or  pride,  is  that  of  others. 

"He  was  a  sound  divine  and  an  able  preacher.  He  was  well- 
grounded  in  the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  exhibited  its 
truths  in  the  proportions  they  bear  to  each  other  in  the  Scriptures. 
His  sermons  were  well  digested  and  skillfully  arranged.  They 
were  usually  delivered  with  a  good  degree  of  unction  and  in  an 
impressive  manner.  He  preached  at  once  to  the  understanding, 
the  conscience,  and  the  heart.  Had  he  devoted  himself  to  literary 
or  theological  studies,  he  would  have  shone  as  a  scholar  or  a  theo- 
logian.    Had  be  entered  exclusively  on  the  ministerial  office,  he 


PETER  NELSON.  4T5 

would  have  acquired  distinction  as  a  preacher  and  a  pastor.  Or 
had  he  returned  (according  to  his  intention  when  he  left  India) 
to  the  missionary  field,  he  would  have  occupied  a  rank  with  the 
venerated  Judson,  to  whom  in  very  many  respects  he  was  in  no- 
ways inferior.  As  it  was,  he  did  not  live  in  vain.  So  far  from  it, 
that  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  United  States  have  had 
scarcely  his  equal  among  them,  and  to  few  are  they  more  in- 
debted. That  he  had  faults,  his  friends  admit,  and  he  lamented ; 
but  he  had  redeeming  qualities,  which  entitle  his  character  to 
universal  respect ;  and  his  memory  will  be  cherished  by  all  who 
knew  him  well,  and  most  affectionately  by  those  who  knew  him 
best  and  longest." 

After  an  illness  of  three  weeks,  this  laborious  servant  of  the 
Redeemer  closed  his  mortal  career  at  the  house  of  Dr.  R.  Gr. 
Mays,  Edgefield  District,  South  Carolina,  on  Saturday,  Septem- 
ber 25th,  1836.  His  remains  were  deposited  near  the  Pine 
Pleasant  Baptist  Meeting-house.  The  South  Carolina  Baptist 
Convention  have  caused  a  large  marble  slab  to  be  placed  over  his 
grave. 


PETER  NELSOK* 

We  regret  our  inability  to  give  more  than  a  very  imperfect 
sketch  of  Elder  Peter  Nelson.  It  was  expected  that  a  memoir 
would  be  furnished  by  one  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  pro- 
minent incidents  of  his  life,  and  admirably  qualified  to  present 
those  incidents  in  an  interesting  point  of  view.  This  memoir  not 
having  been  received,  and  being  unwilling  to  pass  over  in  silence 
one  who  contributed  much  to  elevate  the  character  of  man,  we 
determined  to  insert  the  following  hasty  sketch.  Virginia  is 
much  indebted  to  Elder  Nelson,  about  forty  years  of  his  life 
having  been  devoted  to  the  arduous  and  responsible  duty  of  in- 
structing youth ;  and  he  lived  to  see  an  evidence  of  the  success 
of  his  efforts,  in  the  elevated  station  and  valuable  services  of 

*  Prepared  by  Thomas  H.  Fox. 


476  PETER  NELSON. 

many,  the  unfolding  energies  of  whose  minds  received  his  foster- 
ing care. 

We  have  a  striking  illustration  of  his  high  appreciation  of  in- 
tellectual attainments,  and  the  extensive  liberality  of  his  heart,  in 
the  promptness  with  which  he  received,  both  into  his  family  and 
school,  those  who  possessed  not  the  means  of  obtaining  an  educa- 
tion ;  and  he  received  a  rich  reward  in  the  brilliant  career,  the 
invaluable  efforts  in  the  cause  of  God  and  of  fallen  man,  of  some 
who  were  the  recipients  of  his  liberality,  as  recorded  on  the 
pages  of  this  volume.  Mr.  Nelson,  after  completing  his  course 
of  studies  at  William  and  Mary  College,  returned  to  Hanover, 
his  native  county,  and  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  profession. 
After  a  few  years,  he  united  himself  with  the  Episcopal  church, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  He  soon  located 
himself  permanently  at  Wingfield,  and  established  there  an  aca- 
demy, whose  recollection  is  intimately  associated  with  some  of  the 
greatest  men  who  have  adorned  the  bar  or  councils  of  his  native 
State. 

About  the  year  180T,  his  companion  became  deeply  concerned 
upon  the  subject  of  religion,  and  anxious  to  unite  herself  with  the 
Baptists,  a  denomination  held  by  Mr.  Nelson  in  utter  contempt. 
In  his  opposition,  he  prevented  her  from  visiting  their  meetings, 
or  even  hearing  what  the  "babblers  might  say."  This,  however, 
she  never  failed  to  do,  whenever  an  opportunity  offered ;  such  was 
her  very  great  anxiety  upon  the  subject,  and  her  sense  of  obliga- 
tion to  Jesus  Christ.  Mr.  Nelson,  no  doubt  anxious  for  the 
safety  of  his  companion,  and  desirious  to  reclaim  her  from  the 
errors  of  her  way,  searched  daily  the  Scriptures  for  arguments  to 
accomplish  his  purpose ;  and,  after  a  very  critical  examination  of 
them  in  the  original  text,  (in  a  knowledge  of  which  he  was  sur- 
passed perhaps  by  no  scholar  of  his  day,)  he  became  convinced 
of  the  necessity  of  immersion,  and  forthwith  obeyed  his  Lord,  by 
being  buried  with  her  in  baptism,  which  ordinance  he  received 
at  the  hands  of  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus,  about  1808  or  1809, 
after  having  been  an  Episcopal  minister  for  upwards  of  twenty 
years.  He  died  on  the  fifteenth  of  February,  182T,  as  says  his 
physician,  like  a  philosopher  and  Christian. 


JAMES  D.  M'ALLISTEE.  41 1 


JAMES    D.  M'ALLISTER. 

James  D.  M'Allister,  between  the  years  1823  and  1834,  was 
devotedly  engaged  in  the  nainistry  of  reconciliation ;  most  of  the 
time  in  Eastern  Yirginia.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  very  few 
particulars  respecting  his  life  have  been  furnished  to  the  biogra- 
pher, although  considerable  effort  has  been  made  to  obtain  them. 

After  he  commenced  his  ministerial  career  in  Pittsylvania,  the 
county  which  gave  him  birth,  he  spent  twelve  months  or  more 
with  that  eminently  devoted  man  of  God,  Abner  W.  Clopton. 
Being  most  of  the  time  in  the  society  of  his  talented  instructor,  and 
having  the  advantage  of  an  excellent  library,  he  greatly  improved 
in  general  knowledge,  and  thus,  to  some  extent,  was  supplied  a 
deficiency  occasioned  by  the  want  of  early  education. 

During  his  residence  in  Charlotte  County  he  assisted  Mr.  Clop- 
ton in  the  labors  of  the  pulpit,  and  rapidly  grew  in  the  estimation 
of  the  people,  as  destined  to  become  one  of  the  most  useful  of  Yir- 
ginia's  sons.  He  occupied  his  time  for  several  years  in  itinerating, 
after  which,  with  the  advice  of  his  instructor,  he  accepted  the  pas- 
torate of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Lynchburg,  at  their  special 
invitation.  This  position  was  occupied  more  than  twelve  months. 
Under  rather  discouraging  circumstances  he  labored  with  much 
activity  in  pastoral  employments,  devoting  his  leisure  time  to 
study.  To  some  extent  he  was  successful  in  promoting  the  wel- 
fare of  the  church. 

"When  the  Virginia  Baptist  Education  Society  commenced  its 
operations,  he  was  induced  to  become  one  of  its  beneficiaries,  for  the 
purpose  of  still  further  improving  his  education.  He  entered  the 
family  of  Elder  Edward  Baptist,  under  whose  tuition  the  society 
had  determined  to  place  its  young  men.  It  is  not  thought  he 
made  much  progress  while  with  Mr.  Baptist,  as  he  had  acquired, 
by  frequent  changes  of  location,  such  habits  as  were  unfavorable 
to  severe  application.  Besides,  an  interesting  revival  of  religion 
commenced  in  Powhatan  County,  in  which  he  was  laboriously  en- 
gaged; indeed  he  was  one  of  its  principal  instruments.     After 


418  CRISPIN  DICKENSON, 

having  engaged  for  several  months  in  preaching  from  house  to 
house,  and  reaping  the  field,  which  was  then  white  unto  the  har- 
vest, at  his  request  the  Education  Board  were  induced  to  give  him 
an  honorable  dismission  from  their  care  that  he  might  employ 
himself  wholly  in  the  duties  of  the  ministry.  He  afterwards 
labored  in  Richmond  and  its  vicinity,  in  Charlotte,  Halifax,  and 
Bedford,  with  much  success.  In  the  last-named  county  he  closed 
his  days,  at  the  house  of  Captain  B.  Sydnor,  in  the  year  1834. 

These  few  allusions  to  the  life  of  this  estimable  young  man  are 
mostly  derived  from  the  memory  of  the  writer.  The  Lord  honored 
him  as  the  means  of  much  good  to  many  of  his  fellow-men, 
although  he  was  removed  by  death  when  not  more  than  thirty 
years  of  age.  The  style  of  his  sermons  partook  of  the  florid ;  his 
language  was  grammatical,  and  quite  appropriate ;  while  his  manner 
was  animated  and  frequently  impassioned.  Usually  he  commanded 
the  deeply  interested  attention  of  his  auditors.  By  all  who  knew 
him  intimately,  he  was  regarded  as  a  devotedly  pious  servant  of 
Jesus  Christ. 


CRISPIN"  DICKENSOK 

Although  the  name  of  this  servant  of  God  was  enrolled  with 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation  but  for  a  brief  season,  it  will  be 
gratifying  to  many  to  preserve  a  memorial  of  his  character  and 
labors.  He  was  born  in  Pittsylvania,  November  19th,  1Y87.  In 
his  twenty-fifth  year  he  was  the  subject  of  conversion,  and  joined 
a  church  in  his  native  county.  For  several  years  he  remained  a 
private  member,  exercising  a  good  influence,  and  adorning  the 
doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour.  But  it  was  the  will  of  his  Master 
that  he  should  not  remain  in  obscurity.  The  field  of  ministerial 
labor  was  spread  open  before  him,  and  he  was  invited  to  enter  it. 
He  was  ordained  March  24,  1827,  and  took  charge  of  Locust 
Union  Church,  on  Pig  River,  and  Ararat,  on  Sandy  River. 

For  these  churches  he  labored  with  commendable  fidelity,  and 
was  not  left  without  tokens  of  Divine  favor.    The  word  preached 


JAMES  0.  ALDEPtSON.  479 

was  made  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  the  power  of  God  unto  salva- 
tion. In  both  of  these  churches,  within  two  years  after  his  ordi- 
nation, a  revival  of  religion  was  experienced.  The  dormant 
powers  of  the  saints  were  aroused.  Their  long-neglected  harps 
were  taken  down  from  the  willows,  and  a  holy  activity  began  to 
characterize  all  their  exertions.  As  a  necessary  consequence,  an 
interest  in  favor  of  eternal  things  was  soon  awakened  among 
the  unconverted.  God's  blessing  descended,  and  the  cry  was 
heard, "  what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  K'umbers  were  brought  to 
understand  and  rejoice  in  the  plan  of  salvation  through  the  atone- 
ment of  Christ,  and  were  added  to  the  churches. 

During  this  time  of  ingathering.  Elder  Dickenson,  in  season 
and  out  of  season,  labored  in  preaching  the  word,  while  his 
talents  continued  manifestly  to  improve.  His  influence  among 
the  churches  over  which  he  presided,  and  in  the  Roanoke  Asso- 
ciation, more  and  more  enlarged.  But  he  was  not  long  allowed 
to  retain  his  station  in  the  field  of  labor.  The  Lord,  in  his  inscru- 
table wisdom,  determined  to  summon  him  to  the  world  of  spirits. 
How  long  he  was  sick  is  not  known  by  the  writer,  but  in  his  last 
hours  he  manifested  much  composure,  willingly  resigning  himself 
into  the  hands  of  his  Redeemer.     He  died  October  28th,  1832. 


JAMES    0.  ALDERSOK 

James  0.  Alderson,  the  youngest  son  of  George  and  Sarah 
Alderson,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  John  Alderson,  was  born  in 
Kenhawa  County,  October,  1800.  At  four  years  of  age  his  father 
died,  leaving  a  wife  and  seven  children;  shortly  after  the  death 
of  his  father,  his  mother  removed  to  Monroe  County,  and  settled 
on  Greenbrier  River;  in  this  neighborhood  he  lived  with  his 
mother  until  he  was  about  nineteen  years  of  age.  Possessing  a 
weak  constitution,  and  having  by  this  time  acquired  a  limit.ed 
education,  he  left  his  mother  in  the  care  of  an  older  brother,  and 
commenced  teaching  school.     During  his  earlier  years  he  was 


480  JAiMES   0.  ALDERSON. 

much  exercised  on  the  subject  of  religion ;  but  mingling  with  the 
world,  these  impressions  would  wear  away,  and  he  would  again 
and  again  seem  much  carried  away  v?ith  its  pleasures.  Shortly 
after  his  marriage,  which  was  in  his  twenty-fifth  year,  he  again 
began  to  think  seriously  upon  eternity.  He  was  often  awakened 
to  a  sense  of  his  condition,  and  was  at  length  brought  deeply  to 
feel  the  necessity  of  a  change  in  his  heart.  In  his  twenty-seventh 
year  he  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Subject  to 
melancholy,  and  often  doubting  his  own  acceptance,  he  still  mani- 
fested the  purpose  of  his  heart  to  follow  his  Redeemer.  From 
the  first  of  his  profession  of  religion  he  seemed  much  impressed 
with  the  condition  of  his  fellow- sinners,  and  determined  to  devote 
himself  to  the  great  work  of  inviting  them  to  Christ.  Immediately 
after  his  baptism  he  commenced  and  continued  exhorting  sinners 
within  the  bounds  of  the  church  for  twelve  months,  when  he  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  was  ordained  at  the  Greenbrier  Associa- 
tion, September,  1830. 

From  the  period  of  his  ordination  he  became  a  most  zealous 
laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  He  engaged  as  a  missionary 
in  the  Geeenbrier  Association,  under  the  direction  of  the  Central 
Committee,  and  never  did  any  man  more  rapidly  improve.  During 
the  year  1831  his  efforts  were  attended  with  evident  tokens  of 
Divine  approbation.  Many  seals  were  given  to  his  ministry. 
Between  eighty  and  one  hundred  were  baptized  by  him  in  this 
year.  Through  the  inclement  season  of  the  winter  months  he 
continued  his  indefatigable  labors,  though  his  constitution  was 
evidently  declining.  He  ceased  not  to  preach  until  within  about 
two  weeks  before  his  death,  when  he  returned  home  scarcely  able 
to  sit  up.     He  died  of  consumption,  the  13th  of  April,  1832. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  last  illness  he  seemed  to  have  the  most 
humbling  sense  of  the  depravity  of  his  heart  and  the  infinite 
purity  of  God,  which  filled  him  with  doubts  and  fears  as  to  his 
state;  these,  however,  gave  way,  after  a  day  or  two,  to  a  calm 
serenity,  and  humble  confidence  in  his  Redeemer,  whicli  continued 
with  him  to  the  last.  He  left  a  wife  and  three  children  to  mourn 
his  death ;  and  long  will  his  removal  be  mourned  and  his  memory 
cherished  by  the  churches  that  enjoyed  his  short  but  useful  labors. 


RUFUS  CHANDLER.  481 


RrrUS    CHANDLER. 

R.UFUS  Chandler  was  born  in  Pomfret,  Windham  County, 
Connecticut,  May  26th,  1185,  of  parents  who  occupied  a  very  re- 
spectable station  in  society.  At  an  early  age  he  gave  evidence 
of  possessing  a  vigorous  mind,  and  an  ardent  desire  to  acquire 
useful  knowledge.  His  father  hailed  these  indications  with  delight, 
and  determined  to  afford  his  son  the  means  of  gratifying  his  de- 
sire. He  was  sent  to  the  best  schools  in  his  native  town  until  he 
attained  his  sixteenth  year,  when  he  left  the  paternal  roof  for 
Plainfield  Academy.  In  this  institution  he  pursued  his  studies ; 
and  at  the  expiration  of  one  year,  his  friends  considering  him  pre- 
pared for  an  advantageous  entrance  into  college,  he  removed  to 
New  Haven,  and  with  credit  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Yale 
College  in  his  seventeenth  year.  At  the  expiration  of  four  years 
the  degree  of  A.M.  was  conferred  upon  him,  having  previously 
obtained  that  of  A.B.  ^ 

la  the  spring  of  1806  he  was  invited  by  several  intelligent  gen- 
tlemen to  take  charge  of  a  school  in  Hanover  County,  Virginia; 
and  having  embraced  the  offer,  continued  in  their  immediate 
neighborhood  for  several  years.  In  the  summer  of  1812  he  became 
a  Christian,  and,  recognizing  his  duty,  he  determined  forthv/ith 
to  obey  his  Lord,  by  being  buried  with  him  in  baptism,  which 
ordinance  was  administered  by  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus.  Pre- 
vious to  descending  into  the  water.  Elder  Chandler  addressed  a 
large  assembly  on  the  vital  importance  of  religion,  and  gave  his 
own  views  on  the  mode  and  design  of  baptism,  as  derived  from  a 
critical  examination  of  the  original  text. 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nancy 
W.  Trevillian,  daughter  of  Mr.  Thomas  Trevillian,  of  Caroline 
County;  and  in  the  year  1815  he  removed  to  that  county,  with  a 
view  to  a  permanent  location.  Here  he  prosecuted  his  profession 
for  several  years,  receiving  quite  a  liberal  patronage  ;  but,  admo- 
nished by  declining  health,  he  abandoned  it  for  the  more  active 
pursuits  of  agriculture.  On  the  13th  of  June,  1830,  he  was  or- 
voL.  I. — 2^  41 


482  EUFUS   CHANDLER. 

dained  to  the  gospel  ministry,  by  Elders  Spilsbe  Woolfolk,  Henry 
Keeling,  and  Eli  Ball.  It  has  been  already  observed  that  Elder 
Chandler's  declining  health  had  induced  him  to  abandon  a  seden- 
tary life  for  the  more  active  pursuits  of  agriculture,  and  while  we 
have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  change  of  his  habits  con- 
tributed to  his  stay  among  us,  yet  the  seeds  of  disease  were  never 
entirely  eradicated.  At  the  time  of  his  ordination  he  no  doubt 
entertained  the  hope  that  he  would  be  enabled  to  enter  upon  the 
arduous  and  responsible  duties  connected  with  the  ministry.  This 
hope  was  but  partially  realized :  the  church  at  Burruss',  however, 
with  which  he  had  associated  himself  on  his  removal  to  Caroline, 
being  at  this  time  deprived  of  the  services  of  a  regular  pastor, 
solicited  his  aid,  and  was  regularly  supplied  by  him,  whenever  his 
health  would  permit,  until  they  obtained  the  services  of  a  pastor. 
During  the  time  Elder  Chandler  served  the  church  at  Burruss',  a 
revival  commenced  which  continued  for  some  months,  and  in 
v/hich  sixty  or  eighty  were  added  to  their  number. 

Elder  Chandler  was  not  only  a  classical  scholar,  but  a  literary 
man ;  so  far  from  supposing  a  collegiate  course  embraces  every- 
thing necessary  to  be  learned,  he  considered  it  only  a  foundation 
upon  which  ft)  erect  a  superstructure  of  useful  knowledge ;  and,  pos- 
sessing a  talent  for  investigation,  he  made  considerable  attainments 
in  science.  He  was  very  remarkable  for  neatness  and  order  in  all 
his  business ;  the  most  casual  observer  could  not  fail  to  admire  the 
systematic  arrangement  of  everything  around  him.  His  attention, 
however,  was  more  particularly  directed  to  literary  subjects.  His 
library  comprised  some  of  the  most  valuable  works,  especially 
those  connected  with  theology. 

Much  of  Elder  Chandler's  time  was  devoted  to  the  study  and 
critical  examination  of  the  Scriptures ;  and,  considering  them  as 
the  only  infallible  standard  of  faith  and  practice,  he  never  failed 
to  urge  on  all  around  him  the  propriety  of  consulting  them.  His 
preaching  was  not  very  animated,  but  always  instructive,  and  occa- 
sionally quite  impressive.  He  was  a  warm  advocate  of  benevo- 
lent effort,  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  different  societies  organized 
for  that  purpose,  and  earnest  in  his  endeavors  to  interest  others 
in  their  behalf  The  temperance  cause  found  in  him  an  ardent 
supporter;  and  on  all  suitable  occasions  he  feelingly  portrayed  the 


EUFUS   CHANDLER.  483 

miseries  resulting  from  intemperance,  and  forcibly  sustained  the 
views  of  the  advocates  of  abstinence. 

It  is  very  certain  that  the  last  years  of  Elder  Chandler's  life 
were  characterized  by  increased  devotion  to  God,  zeal  in  his  cause, 
and  anxious  solicitude  for  the  salvation  of  dying  man ;  and  as  an 
evidence  that  this  impression  is  not  confined  to  the  writer,  he  will 
here  introduce  a  paragraph  or  two  from  the  obituary  notice  written 
by  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus,  in  which  he  says  :  "The  latter  part 
of  his  Christian  profession  shone  with  much  more  brilliance  than 
the  former  part.  But  if  the  early  stage  appeared  more  dim  and 
cloudy,  how  pleasant  was  it  to  find,  that  after  a  season  of  special 
revival,  which  he  seems  to  have  experienced,  the  light  broke  forth, 
and  continued  to  shine  on  through  the  infirmities  of  nature,  till 
death  dismissed  him  to  a  brighter  "state  !  His  retired  habits,  and 
his  frequent  bodily  infirmities,  seems  to  have  circumscribed  his 
ministerial  operations,  and  confined  them  to  narrow  limits,  but  his 
preaching  was  of  the  intelligent  and  evangelical  order,  and  by  no 
means  destitute  of  a  degree  of  spiritual  unction  ;  while  his  zeal  for 
the  prosperity  of  religion  manifested  itself  in  more  than  verbal 
professions.  Extracts  from  some  of  his  letters  would  show  how 
desirous  he  was  to  encourage  his  brethren  in  the  work  of  faith  and 
the  labor  of  love,  while  bodily  indisposition  prevented  his  taking 
a  part  in  active  exercises.  '  He  was,'  says  an  intimate  friend  of 
his, '  one  of  the  most  scrupulously  exact  persons,  in  all  his  transac- 
tions with  men,  I  ever  knew.'  And  along  with  this  disposition, 
it  may  be  added,  there  went  a  cordial  sociability  toward  his  par- 
ticular friends,  that  naturally  drew  forth  a  return  of  affectionate 
esteem.  Of  this,  the  writer  of  this  article,  among  others,  may  be 
allowed  to  bear  witness." 

During  his  last  illness  he  frequently  spoke  of  death  with  that 
composure  of  feeling,  that  serenity  of  mind,  which  can  be  expe- 
rienced only  by  those  who  profess  the  blessed  hope  of  a  resurrec- 
tion to  life.  To  a  particular  friend,  he  said,  "We  have  spent 
many  happy  moments  together;  I  hope  we  shall  spend  many 
more  in  heaven."  Just  before  his  death,  shaking  hands  with  his 
eldest  son,  he  uttered  his  last  articulate  words:  "Farewell!  I 
am  going  home."  Thus  died;  at  Little  Yale,  in  the  County  of 
Caroline,  on  Tuesday,  18th  of  July,  1831,  in  the  fifty-third  year 


484  JOSEPH   GOODE. 

of  his  age,  Elder  Rufus  Chandler,  leaving  behind  him  an 
aiflieted  wife  and  five  children  to  mourn  the  bereaving  stroke, 
and  a  circle  of  friends  and  brethren  in  whose  recollections  his 
name  will  be  embalmed. 


JOSEPH   GOODE. 


Joseph  Goode  was  the  son  of  Elder  John  Goode,  and  was  born 
in  Chesterfield  County,  April  4th,  11^ Q.  He  had  serious  impres- 
sions at  the  age  of  eight  or  ten  years,  and  would  often  hold  con- 
versation with  his  brothers  on  the  subject  of  religion.  Resolutions 
to  seek  the  salvation  of  his  soul  were  made,  but  would  relapse 
again  into  a  state  of  unconcern.  Being  well  brought  up,  he 
scarcely  ever,  if  at  all,  committed  an  act  known  to  any  that  would 
have  placed  him  under  the  censure  of  a  well-disciplined  church. 

In  1799  a  revival  commenced  in  the  bounds  of  Skinquarter 
Church.  He  had  long  been  waiting  on  the  ministration  of  the 
Word  without  deep  feeling,  but  about  this  time,  at  a  night-meet- 
ing, the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  reached  his  heart,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  cry  aloud  with  anguish.  He  extended  his  hand  to  a 
brother,  with  whom  he  had  freely  conversed  on  eternal  things,  and 
assured  him  he  must  turn  or  perish.  His  convictions  were  deeply 
pungent.  In  the  fall  of  1199,  while  securing  his  crop,  deliverance 
was  realized.  His  countenance  bespoke  the  change,  and  con- 
strained his  friends  to  believe  he  had  passed  from  death  unto  life. 
He  soon  made  a  public  profession  of  religion,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Charles  Forsee,  attaching  himself  to  Skinquarter  Church. 
Shortly  after  he  was  chosen  deacon  of  the  church. 

After  some  time  he  reached  the  conclusion  that  there  was  some- 
thing required  at  his  hands  in  warning  his  fellow-beings  of  their 
dangerous  situation.  He  soon  commenced  the  work  of  exhorting 
them  in  the  name  of  his  Master,  and,  after  a  few  years,  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders  Forsee,  Martin,  and 
Leigh.  Feeling  the  great  responsibility  of  his  station,  he  would 
sometimes,  in  the  early  part  of  his  labors,  desist,  requesting  others 


NOAH   DAVIS.  485 

to  take  his  place.  His  talents  or  acquirements  were  not  such  as 
to  command  the  admiration  of  the  highly  cultivated.  He  was, 
however,  gifted  as  an  experimental  preacher,,  and,  at  times,  was 
exceedingly  forcible  in  the  elucidation  of  doctrinal  subjects,  and 
pungent  in  his  appeals  to  the  conscience.  His  countenance 
usually  lighted  up  with  a  smile  as  he  dwelt  on  the  lovely  character 
of  Jesus  and  recommended  him  as  the  Saviour  of  the  lost. 

In  his  intercourse  with  men  his  uprightness  of  conduct  gave 
evidence  that  he  loved  the  law  of  God.  He  was  much  beloved 
by  many  and  respected  by  all.  Though  his  ministerial  career 
was  short,  it  was  well  spent.  He  seemed  to  have  some  presenti- 
ments of  his  approaching  dissolution,  and  communicated  them  to 
his  family  before  he  was  arrested  by  disease.  On  Friday,  the  i3th 
of  October,  1823,  he  was  confined  by  a  sudden  attack  of  sickness, 
and  in  little  more  than  a  week  his  spirit  took  its  flight  to  a 
better  world.  On  his  dying  bed  he  enjoyed  much  of  the  love  of 
Jesus,  and  was  confident  of  dwelling  with  him  forever. 


NOAH    DAYIS. 

How  mysterious  are  the  appointments  of  Him  who  worketh 
all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will  I  "Verily,  he  is  a  God 
that  hideth  himself !  His  footsteps  are  in  the  great  deep  !  Among 
the  intricacies  of  Divine  Providence  is  to  be  numbered  the  early 
removal  by  death  of  godly  and  useful  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ. 
If  the  wisest  and  best  of  human  beings  should  be  allowed  to 
decide,  it  would  be  thought  more  conducive  to  the  interest  of 
man  and  the  glory  of  God  to  retain  able  ministers  of  the  New 
Testament  until  their  physical  natures  were  worn  out,  and  there 
was  no  further  capacity  for  efficient  service.  It  would  be  one 
feature  of  the  economy  which  they  might  devise,  to  "spare  useful 
lives."  So  rarely  is  the  cause  of  Christ  advocated  by  men  who 
unite  eminent  attainments  in  holiness  with  a  high  order  of  intel- 
lect, that  it  would  be  thought  unwise  soon  to  release  them  from 
their  stewardship.     But  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth, 

41* 


486  NOAH   DAVIS. 

SO  are  God's  ways  higher  than  our  ways,  and  his  thoughts  higher 
than  our  thoughts.  He  is  himself  the  author  of  all  those  gifts 
which  the  church  has  received.  He  entertains  an  unchanging 
regard  for  her  interests,  and  his  wisdom  is  as  perfect  as  his  love. 
While  therefore  the  precise  design  of  such  removals  are  unknown 
to  us,  we  may  still  believe  them  right  and  rejoice  that  the  Lord 
God  omnipotent  reigneth. 

Momentary  sadness  came  over  many  a  heart  when  it  was  an- 
nounced that  ISToAH  Davis  was  no  more.  The  importance  of  the 
station  he  filled ;  the  loveliness  of  his  character  and  the  extended 
influence  which  he  had  gained  in  our  denomination,  all  rendered 
the  bereavemeni  deeply  painful.  But  he  has  gone  to  his  reward, 
and  his  Master,  whom  he  served,  can  multiply  laborers  an  hundred- 
fold and  send  them  into  the  field.  This  mournful  event  will  have 
resulted  in  good  if  it  has,  in  any  measure,  begotten  in  the  churches 
an  humble  dependence  on  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  supply  the 
deficiency  which  everywhere  prevails.  It  is  believed,  too,  that 
the  bright  example  of  Davis  will  long  exert  its  influence  among 
men.  He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh.  In  the  brief  record  which 
this  memoir  will  furnish,  the  desire  is  cherished  to  hold  up,  for 
the  imitation  of  all,  his  heavenly  spirit  and  self-denying  activity. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  native  of  Worcester  County, 
Maryland.  He  was  born  July  28th,  1802.  His  parents  were 
eminently  pious  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  their  family 
arrangements  they  adopted  that  course  which  was  most  likely  to 
result  in  the  eternal  welfare  of  their  offspring.  Noah,  their  first- 
born, was  the  object  of  special  anxiety,  and  his  infant  mind  received 
impressions  which  were  never  erased.  Doubtless  many  a  prayer 
ascended  from  her  who  watched  over  his  childish  years  and  who 
early  taught  him  to  think  of  spiritual  realities.  She,  like  Hannah, 
had  given  this  child  to  God,  and  was  strong  in  the  faith,  giving 
glory  to  Him.  With  unwavering  confidence  her  heart  rested  on 
the  assurance  that  when  he  was  old  he  would  not  forget  the 
instructions  he  had  received.  Happy  is  the  man  who  is  born  of 
such  parents.  Though  piety  be  not  hereditary,  the  influence  of 
pious  counsels  and  example  must  be  salutary.  Such  was  the 
effect  on  him  to  whom  reference  is  now  made.  He  always  con- 
sidered it  one  of  the  richest  blessings  conferred  on  him  to  be  the 


NOAH  DAVIS.  481 

child  of  devout  parents.  In  alluding  to  this  subject  he  says:  "I 
was  the  first  child  the  Lord  gave  my  parents,  and  my  mother, 
who  before  my  birth  had  dedicated  me  to  Him,  named  me  jSToah, 
believing  that  I  also  should  be  made  a  preacher  of  righteousness. 
Of  course,  no  pains  were  spared  by  my  parents  to  instruct  me  in 
religious  truth  and  bring  me  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Though 
they  had  the  grief' to  see  me,  like  others,  taking  the  downward 
course  and  drinking  in  iniquity  like  water,  yet  my  mother  held 
fast  her  first  impression,  that  I  should  be  ransomed  by  electing 
love  and  made  to  preach  the  word  of  Grod  to  dying  men." 

When  quite  a  child  he  gave  indications  of  natural  sprightliness 
of  mind.  His  active,  restless  spirit  sometimes  caused  painful 
fears  to  arise  in  the  bosom  of  his  pious  parents  concerning  his 
spiritual  welfare.  They  saw  the  influence  of  a  depraved  heart 
united  with  a  warm  temperament,  and  they  dreaded  the  result 
when  he  should  be  brought  in  contact  with  the  temptations  of  the 
world.  As  he  advanced  in  years  he  was  quite  disposed  to  indulge 
in  ambitious  projects.  He  seemed  eager  to  engage  in  great  and 
difficult  enterprises.  He  often  thought  and  spoke  of  casting 
himself  amid  the  perils  of  military  life.  The  fires  of  patriotism 
burned  in  his  youthful  bosom  and  he  panted  for  the  field  of  battle. 
But  He,  in  whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  all  men,  was  preparing 
him  for  other  employments.  It  was  to  be  his  honorable  lot  to 
unfurl  the  banner  of  the  Prince  of  peace.  His  was  to  be  a  blood- 
less warfare.  "Thanks  be  to  God,"  said  he,  after  his  conversion, 
"that  I  have  undertaken,  in  his  name,  to  fight  for  another  king- 
dom than  that  of  this  world,  and  to  serve  under  the  High  Captain 
of  salvation." 

From  earliest  childhood  he  manifested  a  fondness  for  reading, 
and  would  frequently  separate  himself  from  his  youthful  companions 
and  spend  hours  in  the  perusal  of  some  favorite  book.  At  school 
he  was  studious.  There  was,  however,  at  that  time,  but  little 
promise  of  succeeding  as  a  public  speaker.  "While  at  school," 
he  remarks,  "whether  from  diifidence  or  some  other  cause,  I  could 
at  no  time  take  a  part  in  the  exercise  of  public  speaking,  a  proof 
that  I  was  not  then  preparing  for  my  present  avocation."  His 
education,  while  with  his  parents,  was  such  as  could  be  obtained 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  country. 


488  NOAH   DAVIS. 

He  was  not  more  than  sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  was 
engaged  as  a  merchant's  clerk  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  The 
individuals  by  whom  he  was  employed  were  pious  men,  and 
scrupulously  guarded  the  morals  of  those  placed  under  their 
charge.  The  parents  of  young  Davis,  in  seeking  a  situation  for 
their  son,  were  not  willing  to  disregard  his  spiritual  good,  but 
sought  and  found  employers  who  feared  the  Lord.  This  is  a 
subject  concerning  which  all  parents  should  be  solicitous.  On  the 
connection  in  business  which  an  inexperienced  youth  forms  may 
depend  his  whole  future  destiny.  Especially  is  it  important,  in 
this  particular,  to  exercise  caution  when  young  men  exchange  the 
simple  habits  of  a  country  life  for  those  of  towns.  So  numerous 
and  fascinating  are  the  temptations  of  a  city  that  the  unwary, 
without  the  restraints  of  some  judicious  guardian,  are  liable  to  be 
lured  into  the  path  of  ruin. 

Previous  to  his  removal  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  not  the  sub- 
ject of  any  peculiar  religious  feeling.  Notwithstanding  the  deep 
concern  which  his  parents  had  always  evinced  for  his  salvation, 
he  remained  a  thoughtless  youth,  without  hope  and  without  God 
in  the  world.  But  he  had  not  long  resided  in  Philadelphia  be- 
fore the  influence  of  truth  was  felt.  The  gentleman  with  whom 
he  lived  insisted  (much  against  his  inclination)  that  he  should 
regularly  attend  public  worship.  Almost  imperceptibly  was  he 
led  to  the  discovery  of  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin.  He  thus 
describes  some  of  the  leading  circumstances  which  resulted  in  his 
conversion.  Speaking  of  his  settlement  in  Philadelphia,  he  says : 
"Prior  to  this  time  I  had  no  abiding  impression  of  my  state  by 
nature,  nor  of  the  awfulness  of  my  standing  before  God.  It  was 
in  Philadelphia  that  my  vile  heart  first  revolted  against  attending 
strictly  on  the  worship  of  the  Sabbath  day.  I  was  now  com- 
pelled to  labor  throughout  the  week,  and  surely,  thought  I,  Sun- 
day at  least  may  be  my  own.  But  in  vain  were  my  murmurings. 
My  respected  employers  knew  the  worth  of  immortal  souls,  and 
acted  upon  the  good  resolution  that  they  and  their's  should  serve 
the  Lord." 

The  account  of  his  first  exercises  in  religion  is  thus  given  by 
himself:  "I  cannot  remember  any  particular  sermon  that  had  a 
more  than  usual  effect  upon  my  mind.     If  my  mind  was  ever 


NOAH  DAVIS.  489 

operated  upon  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  it  was  in  a  manner  silent  and 
calm.  The  first  material  change  of  life,  that  I  remember,  took 
place  in  the  winter  of  1818-19,  when  I  found  myself  almost  im- 
perceptibly led  to  the  practice  of  daily  prayer,  and  on  Sabbath 
afternoons  I  spent  my  time  in  reading  and  prayer.  Under  this 
change  of  my  yiews  and  habits,  I  began  to  hear  the  word  of  God 
with  increased  attention,  and  obtained  a  better  comprehension 
than  I  had  previously  had  of  Divine  things.  I  began  to  acquire 
a  greater  relish  for  the  services  of  the  sanctuary,  and  attended 
upon  them  more  from  choice  than  compulsion.  The  administra- 
tion of  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  in  Sansom  Street  Church,  had 
several  times  a  very  powerful  effect  upon  my  mind.  Shortly  after 
this  I  wrote  to  my  parents,  informing  them  of  my  religious  exer- 
•cises  and  of  my  desire  to  become  a  member  of  the  church  of 
Christ.  They  were  the  first  to  whom  I  made  known  my  feelings 
and  sentiments  in  relation  to  the  concerns  of  my  soul.  I  men- 
tioned my  exercises  to  Mr.  Fassit,  at  the  same  time  requesting 
him  to  state  my  case  to  Dr.  Staughton,  who  was  then  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  Church  in  Sansom  Street.  This  he  did,  giving  the 
doctor  an  account  of  my  experience,  with  which  he  appeared  to 
be  satisfied.  After  examination,  the  church  consented  that  I 
should  be  baptized  at  their  next  regular  meeting,  which  took 
place  July  4th,  1819.  I  had  made  known  my  intention  to  be 
baptized  on  that  day,  and  to  my  surprise  my  father  came  from  his 
distant  residence  to  Philadelphia  at  that  time  almost  purposely 
to  witness  this  scene.  Indeed  it  appeared  to  be  one  of  a  very 
affecting  kind  to  him.  In  the  afternoon  of  that  day  I  was 
received  into  the  visible  church  by  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, presented  by  Dr.  Staughton,  the  pastor,  and  for  the  first 
time  partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Oh  what  a  day  to  me ! 
With  what  regret  should  I  remember  how  pooi'ly  I  have  sus- 
tained the  profession  then  assumed.  In  the  church  of  which  I 
became  a  member  I  found  the  interchange  of  religious  aQ"ection 
most  delightful;  the  services  of  the  sanctuary  became  interest- 
ing, and  I  could  sing — 

'There  my  best  friends,  my  kindred  dwell.'" 
Thus  was  he  held  by  a  way  which  he  knew  not.     His  subse- 
quent history  proves  the  reality  of  the  change  he  professed  when 


490  NOAH   DAVIS. 

he  was  buried  with  Christ  iu  baptism.  Having  recognized  him- 
self as  saved  by  grace,  he  felt  anxious  to  be  employed  in  any  way 
which  might  be  conducive  to  the  Divine  honor.  His  soul  was 
moved,  too,  with  compassion  for  dying  men.  He  saw  them 
exposed  to  eternal  burnings,  and  longed  to  warn  them  of  their 
danger.  Though  his  prospects  in  worldly  things  were  encourag- 
ing, he  could  not  be  satisfied  to  remain  in  Philadelphia.  Those 
with  whom  he  lived  cheerfully  relinquished  his  services,  and-  he 
returned  to  his  father's  house,  resolved  to  embrace  every  opportu- 
nity of  speaking  in  behalf  of  his  Master's  cause.  By  letter,  he 
united  with  the  church  in  Salisbury,  Maryland.  It  was  soon  per- 
ceived that  he  possessed  useful  talents,  and  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  July  9th,  1820. 

At  the  time  he  became  a  licentiate,  he  was  only  eighteen  years 
of  age.  Although  he  had  obtained  from  various  sources  much 
valuable  information,  he  was  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
still  further  improvement  to  qualify  him  thoroughly  for  the  work 
of  his  ministry.  In  the  following  November  he  joined  the  Lite- 
rary and  Theological  Institution  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Staughton 
and  Professor  Chase.  When  the  Columbian  College  went  into 
operation,  in  1821,  he  removed  to  "Washington,  and  there  con- 
tinued his  studies.  He  did  not  remain  until  he  completed  his 
education.  Although  he  was  making  commendable  progress, 
and  might  have  risen  to  eminence  in  scholastic  attainments,  yet 
his  ardent  desire  to  enter  the  field  of  labor  prevailed  over  the 
love  of  literary  distinction.  He  refers  to  this  subject  in  the  fol- 
lowing language:  "I  entered  the  freshman  class,  and  looked  for- 
ward to  the  end  of  my  course  of  study,  when  I  should  go  forth 
to  preach  the  gospel  wherever  my  Master  might  send  me.  But 
as  to  preach  the  gospel  was  the  leading  motive  of  my  heart,  I 
began  to  look  on  the  intervening  years  of  study  with  some  degree 
of  uneasiness,  especially  as  the  directors  of  my  education  had 
determined  to  give  me  a  thorough  course,  which  would  require  four 
or  five  years  more.  I  resolved,  therefore,  to  leave  college  at  the 
end  of  the  current  term,  and  to  throw  myself  on  the  providence 
of  God,  with  entire  devotion  to  his  work." 

With  reference  to  this  particular  circumstance,  and  the  possi- 
bility that  some  students  might  be  disposed  injudiciously  to  imi- 


NOAH  DAVIS.  491 

tate  the  example  of  Mr.  Davis,  Professor  Knowles  makes  the 
following  observations :  "  Soon  after  he  entered  the  freshman  class, 
he  resolved  to  leave  college.  His  health  was  not  firm,  and  he 
feared  that  he  could  not  prosecute,  to  the  end,  the  course  of  study 
which  he  had  commenced.  He  acccordingly  left  the  institution 
in  the  summer  of  1823.  This  measure,  I  may  say  with  entire 
affection  for  his  memory,  did  not  meet  with  the  approbation  of 
many  of  his  best  friends.  My  dear  brother  acted  conscientiously, 
but  I  thought,  and  still  think,  that  he  mistook^  in  that  instance, 
the  path  of  duty.  I  should  not  now  allude  to  it,  were  I  not  fear- 
ful that  his  example  might  have  some  influence  on  other  young 
men  who  may  be  impatient  of  study,  and  may  rush  into  the  field 
without  his  talents,  piety,  and  zeal.  It  is  no  proof  that  he  judged 
rightly,  because  he  has  been  useful.  Such  a  man  could  not  fail 
to  be  useful  in  almost  any  circumstances.  But  how  much  more 
useful  might  he  not  have  been,  if  his  powerful  mind  had  been 
thoroughly  disciplined  and  amply  furnished  with  good  learning  ! 
That  he  has  died  young,  is  no  argument.  All  students  are  liable 
to  die  before  they  complete  their  studies.  Many  have  died  in 
college,  or  at  the  theological  seminary,  or  in  a  year  or  two  after 
their  settlement  as  pastors.  Was  it,  therefore,  unwise  to  spend 
any  time  in  preparatory  study  ?  The  plain  rule  of  duty  is,  to 
aim  at  the  greatest  usefulness  and  to  make  the  most  thorough 
preparation  which  God's  providence  permits.  The  length  of 
our  lives  is  a  point  which  God  decides  at  his  pleasure.  It 
alters  not  our  duty.  We  may  live  many  years,  and  we  must 
not  disqualify  ourselves  for  prolonged  usefulness  by  calculating 
on  a  short  course  and  making  a  stinted  provision.  If  a  man 
is  to  die  young,  there  is  so  much  the  more  need  that  he  increase 
his  power  as  much  as  possible,  so  as  to  do  much  in  a  little  time. 
Life  is  not  to  be  measured  by  years,  but  by  the  amount  of  useful 
labor  done ;  and  if  a  man  can  so  multiply  his  talents  as  to  do 
in  one  year  more  than  he  could  otherwise  accomplish  in  five,  the 
church  will  be  a  gainer,  though  he  should  die  early;  and  his 
education,  we  have  reason  to  suppose,  will  make  him  a  fitter 
instrument  for  his  Master's  use  in  the  next  world." 

There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  Mr.  Davis  himself  con- 
sidered his  abandonment  of  study  premature,  and  regretted  that 


492  NOAH   DAVIS. 

he  had  taken  this  step.  In  1825,  he  addressed  a  letter  to  one  of 
his  young  brethren  in  the  ministry,  urging  him  to  obtain  an  edu- 
cation before  he  made  a  permanent  settlement.  The  following  is 
a  brief  extract :  "I  have  known  some  very  eminent  ministers  to 
regret  that,  when  young  in  the  ministry,  they  preached  so  much, 
and  devoted  so  little  of  their  time  to  reading,  meditation,  etc., 
that  their  minds  might  be  stored  before  they  commenced  dealing 
out  so  largely.  The  more  I  preach,  the  more  I  feel  of  the  neces- 
sity of  mental  cultivation.  We  cannot  expect  a  great  abundance 
of  fruit  from  ground  which  has  not  been  well  tilled,  even  though 
by  nature  it  maybe  rich.  Many  young  preachers  start  off  as  soon 
as  commissioned,  as  if  the  world  were  to  be  taken  by  storm. 
They  run  well  for  a  season,  do  good,  I  hope ;  but  soon  we  find 
them,  when  the  particular  season  for  improvement  has  gone  by, 
settled  in  some  obscure  corner,  and  having  to  contend  with  diffi- 
culties which  keep  them  at  one  stage  of  knowledge  and  accept- 
ance all  their  lives ;  if,  indeed,  they  do  not  rather  decline  in  these 
things,  'Tis  obviously  our  duty  then  to  endeavor  to  secure  such 
a  knowledge  of  our  implements  at  the  beginning,  and  the  best 
way  of  using  them,  that  we  may  become  workmen  that  need  not 
to  be  ashamed.  I  know  that  working  only  gives  the  power  of 
doing  it  well,  if  the  necessary  qualifications  be  possessed ;  but 
still  instruction  is  essential.  He  who  works  all  and  does  not  stop 
to  take  lessons  of  the  master,  cannot  attain  the  art  to  perfection. 
We  are  authorized  to  covet  earnestly  the  best  gifts." 

It  will  not  be  for  a  moment  questioned  that  the  leading  motive 
which  constrained  him  to  leave  college  was  the  promotion  of  the 
Redeemer's  glory.  It  was  not  mere  indolence,  nor  was  it  a  desire 
to  enjoy  the  honors  of  the  Christian  ministry.  His  love  to  Christ 
and  to  immortal  souls,  like  an  overwhelming  torrent,  bore  him 
away.  Prom  his  earliest  connection  with  the  institution,  while 
he  applied  himself  to  study,  he  could  not  rest  unless  he  was  en- 
gaged in  some  good  work.  The  subjoined  testimony  of  Professor 
Knowles,  who  was  a  fellow-student,  and  one  of  his  most  valued 
friends,  deserves  a  place  here.  "  The  impression  made  by  Mr. 
Davis  on  his  fellow-students  was  rapid,  deep,  and  complete. 
There  was  a  transparency  in  his  character  which  showed  at  once 
all  its  parts  and  proportions.     There  was  in  him  no  guile.     The 


NOAH   DAVIS.  493 

impression  which  he  made  at  first  was  never  changed.  Respect 
for  his  understanding,  entire  confidence  in  his  piety,  and  love  for 
the  virtues  of  his  heart,  were  the  immediate  and  permanent  feelings 
of  his  fellow-students. 

"His  progress  in  study  was  rapid.  His  mind  was  strong,  clear, 
and  energetic.  He  was  more  distinguished  for  soundness  of  un- 
derstanding than  for  activity  of  imagination  or  delicacy  of  taste. 
He  possessed  more  aptitude  for  mathematics  than  for  languages. 
He  would  have  penetrated  more  easily  the  discriminations  of 
metaphysics  than  the  beauties  of  the  classics.  He  would  have 
grasped  more  eagerly  and  successfully  the  massive  doctrines  of 
theology  than  the  refined  graces  of  elegant  literature.  But  the 
speedy  interruption  of  his  studies  before  he  had  fully  acquired 
the  habits  of  a  student,  has  prevented  a  decided  judgment  re- 
specting his  intellectual  character. 

"While  at  Philadelphia  his  zeal  and  decision  displayed  them- 
selves. He  supplied  for  several  months  a  destitute  congregation 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city.  His  mind  and  his  hands  were 
always  busy  in  his  Master's  service. 

'•'When  the  institution,  was  removed  to  Washington  City,  in  the 
autumn  of  1821,  he  removed  thither,  and  continued  his  studies 
preparatory  to  admission  into  the  freshman  class,  it  being  the  de- 
cided opinion  of  his  most  judicious  friends  that  it  was  his  duty 
to  aim  at  a  complete  education. 

"Here  he  manifested  the  same  desire  for  usefulness,  the  same 
single-hearted  surrender  of  himself  and  of  all  his  powers,  to  the 
service  of  his  Saviour.  He  preached  frequently ;  he  visited  the 
poor  families  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  college  ;  he  was  punctual 
and  devout  at  the  prayer-meetings  of  the  students ;  he  was  one 
of  the  most  useful  members  of  the  Society  for  Missionary  Inquiry. 
The  writer  had  the  pleasure  of  being  associated  with  him  in  sus- 
taining a  Sabbath-school  for  blacks,  where  a  considerable  number 
of  the  poor  slaves,  of  all  ages,  from  childhood  to  threescore 
years,  were  taught  to  read  the  Scriptures." 

Shortly  after  he  left  college,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Young,  a  lady  in  all  respects  qualified  to  assist  in  the  toils 
of  the  Christian  ministry.  For  a  short  time  he  labored  in  the 
County  of  Accomac,  Virginia.     The   Lord  was  with  him,  and 

VOL.  I.  42 


494  NOAH  DAVIS. 

rendered  his  ministry  greatly  efficient  in  turning  transgressors 
from  their  sins.  He  was  also  very  useful  among  his  brethren. 
The  churches  had  become  cold  and  barren  under  the  withering 
influence  of  Antinomianism.  Wherever  he  went,  his  scriptural 
exhibitions  of  truth,  his  simplicity  and  zeal,  united  with  the  most 
unaffected  piety,  commanded  the  attention  and  won  the  esteem 
of  all  who  heard  him. 

From  Accomac  he  removed  to  Korfolk,  and  became  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  that  borough.  His  brief  residence  here  was 
attended  with  evident  marks  of  Divine  approbation.  With  un- 
tiring diligence  he  applied  himself  to  pastoral  duties.  But  he 
could  not  circumscribe  his  influence  within  this  narrow  boundary. 
His  benevolence  prompted  him,  like  his  Divine  Master,  to  go 
about  doing  good.  There  are  some  who  are  content  to  promote 
human  happiness  only  when  placed  in  the  midst  of  exciting  cir- 
cumstances. They  are  not  willing  to  lay  aside  their  own  con- 
venience in  showing  kindness  to  others.  No  pains  are  taken  to 
seek  out  the  objects  of  wretchedness  and  to  administer  relief. 
Theirs  is  the  charity  which  says  to  the  sufferer.  Be  thou  warmed 
and  clothed,  while  it  furnishes  not  the  requisite  relief  But  the 
philanthropy  of  Davis  was  of  a  purer  and  more  heavenly  kind. 
He  was  ready  to  labor  and  to  suffer  for  the  good  of  his  fellow- 
men.  " The  world  needs,"  he  said,  "all  the  instrumentality  that 
has  ever  been  at  any  time  in  operation,  or  can  possibly  be  brought 
to  act  upon  it,  to  be  continued  until  it  shall  attain  the  degree  of 
knowledge,  holiness,  and  happiness  which  will  mark  the  state  of 
the  millennium.  Let  us  not  be  weary  in  well-doing,  for  in  due 
season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not." 

He  was  the  poor  man's  friend ;  among  other  objects  to  which 
he  directed  his  attention  was  the  improvement  of  seamen.  His 
active  spirit  was  not  satisfied  until  he  had  awakened  a  sympathy 
in  the  public  mind  in  behalf  of  this  neglected  class  of  men.  His 
efforts  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  Seamen's  Priends'  Society. 
A  very  excellent  selection  of  hymns  for  mariners  was  compiled 
and  published  by  him.  In  all  the  plans  of  Christian  benevolence 
he  took  an  active  part. 

He  became  ardently  attached  to  the  church  over  which  he  exer- 
cised the  pastoral  rule.     This  affection  was  reciprocated.     He 


NOAH  DAVIS.  495 

cherished  a  deep  concern  for  their  advancement  in  knowledge  and 
holiness,  and  for  the  conversion  of  sinners.  During  a  season  of 
general  indifference,  he  writes :  "  Religion  appears  to  pass  along 
without  much  excitement.  I  pray  the  Lord  to  revive  his  work 
in  my  heart  and  the  hearts  of  all  his  ministers  and  children. 
Then  generally  sinners  begin  to  be  alarmed.  Here,  however,  hell 
appears  not  to  terrify  them,  nor  heaven  to  charm  ;  they  walk  ac- 
cording to  the  course  of  this  world;  we  are  much  too  lukewarm; 
may  the  Lord  pity  us." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  written  during  his  residence 
in  iN'orfolk,  afford  evidence  of  deep  personal  piety.  They  were 
addressed  to  his  wife  : — 

"January  14th,  1826.  Had  one  of  the  best  times  in  preaching 
I  have  had  for  two  months.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  make  it  useful. 
I  am  nothing ;  his  grace  must  work,  or  it  will  be  all  in  vain.  But 
he  will  bless  the  faithful  labors  of  those  whom  he  sends,  replenishes, 
and  upholds.  Oh  that  I  might  know  the  power  of  his  grace  on 
my  heart  more !  Have  had  sore  work  in  my  soul  for  a  day  or 
two.  If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  'tis  strange,  truly  a  w^onder.  My 
lusts  rebel  and  bring  my  soul  into  bondage.  0  ray  dear,  pray  for 
a  poor  wretch,  that  I  may  not,  after  preaching  to  others,  myself 
become  a  castaway !  What  grace  it  takes  to  save  such  a  sinner ! 
a  brand  pinched  out  of  the  fire.  Let  others  depend  on  what  they 
will,  it  will  be  great  grace,  nothing  short  of  it,  will  save  me.  Oh 
that  we  could  look  more  at  Christ  and  his  cross,  and  there  become 
crucified  ourselves!  As  Whitefield  says,  'the  old  man  dies  hard, 
but  die  he  must.'     Amen." 

"April  24,  1826.  Have  felt  a  good  deal  of  late  as  if  I  should 
soon  be  called  home  to  glory,  but  am  willing  to  stay  if  I  can  be 
Instrumental  in  promoting  the  cause  of  my  Master.  Have  said 
little  about  it,  knowing  the  thought  gives  you  pain.  But  why,  my 
dearest,  why  keep  me  a  day  or  an  hour  from  the  enjoyment  of 
supreme  bliss  and  never-failing  glory  ?  To  be  with  Christ  is  far 
better  than  to  be  toiling  with  an  imperfect  and  sinful  body.  -But 
his  counsel  shall  stand.  Neither  of  us  shall  go  a  day  or  moment 
before  our  work,  which  he  means  to  do  for,  in,  and  by  us,  is  done. 
Tarry  his  leisure  then.  My  soul  is  almost  in  raptures  at  the 
thought  of  being  forever  with  Jesus.    Why  not  think  and  talk  of 


496  NOAH   DAVIS, 

heaven  more  ?  Surely  it  would  make  us  more  spiritually-minded, 
more  diligent  in  filling  up  our  short  stay  with  service  for  God, 
and  less  appalled  at  the  idea  of  change.  But  it  must  come.  He 
that  shall  come,  will  come,  and  will  not  tarry.  Even  so,  Lord 
Jesus,  come  quickly.  This  is  the  way  to  begin  heaven,  and  the 
song  of  free,  sovereign,  everlasting,  unchangeable  love.  There  is 
my  hope.  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  0  Lord  my  Saviour, 
and  who  on  earth  is  desirable  besides  thee,  or  in  comparison  of 
thee  ?  Surely  you  are  willing  for  me  to  love  Christ  above  all. 
Yes,  love  him  yourself,  for  he  is  altogether  lovely.  He  deserves 
the  first  place  in  our  hearts." 

"July  28, 182T.  It  has  probably  occurred  to  you,  my  love,  that 
this  is  my  birth-day.  It  is  now  twenty-five  years  since  I  began  to 
live  on  the  earth.  And  for  what,  save  a  little  that  has  been  done 
in  the  last  eight  years,  and  that,  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God 
which  has  been  with  me,  there  is  nothing  on  which  I  can  look 
with  any  proper  satisfaction.  And  how  have  these  years  been 
stained  with  sin.     Yea,  I  daily  deserve  the  lowest  hell : 

'  The  sins  of  one  most  righteous  day- 
Might  plunge  us  in  despair.' 

But  having  obtained  the  help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  day  a 
monument  of  mercy  and  but  a  feeble  advocate  for  the  truth.  My 
soul  is  under  much  darkness,  or  if  there  is  light,  there  is  want  of 
heat,  and,  which  is  worse,  darkness  or  coldness  ?  I  do  desire  to 
begin  to  live  for  God.  I  have  begun  to  die,  and  the  destroyer 
will  be  here.  Days,  and  years,  and  lives  pass  away  like  a  flood. 
Oh  to  be  a  Christian !  By  the  death  of  Jesus,  to  conquer  and  rise 
to  heaven !" 

"July  28,  1829.  Although  I  wrote  to  you  yesterday,  I  feel 
like  indulging  in  the  same  pleasure  on  my  birth-day.  Its  occur- 
rence reminds  me  that  I  am  twenty-seven  years  old,  and  this  month 
finds  me  ten  years  a  professor  of  hope  in  Jesus ;  nine  a  minister 
of  the  glorious  gospel,  six  years  your  affectionate  husband,  and  my 
boy  one  year  old.  How  many  of  the  more  important  events  of 
my  pilgrimage  have  been  crowded  into  this  month  I  and  where  will 
another  twenty  seven  years  bring  me  ?    Most  probably  to  the  jndg- 


NOAH  DAVIS.  49T 

ment-seat,  and,  I  trust,  though  of  all  others  most  unworthy,  to  a 
dwelling-place  at  my  Saviour's  right  hand. 

'  0  glorious  hour,  0  blest  abode, 
I  shall  be  near  and  like  my  God, 
And  flesh  and  sense  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasures  of  the  soul.' 

Ten  of  my  years  I  have  been  called  a  Christian.  How  unworthily 
I  have  lived,  Jesus  knows.  On  the  arms  and  promise  of  his  mercy 
I  cast  myself  and  mine.  That  he  gives  blessings  to  the  undeserv- 
ing and  vile  is  the  only  reason  we  can  have  for  hope.  Oh  that  he 
may  forgive  all  my  sins  !  and  do  you,  my  love,  forgive  all  my  de- 
ficiencies of  good  conduct  toward  you.  Too  often  have  I  offended 
God  and  the  generation  of  his  chosen,  and  I  desire  forgiveness, 
not  only  from  him,  but  from  all  the  world.  What  incentives 
should  conscious  deficiencies  be  to  greater  diligence  in  doing ! 
His  will,  who  so  soon  will  bring  us  to  judgment.  I  feel 
ashamed  and  grieved  that  with  the  Bible  in  my  hands,  and  eter- 
nity before  me,  I  have  lived  so  negligently.  And  I  dare  not 
promise  to  do  better  for  the  time  to  come.  Without  Christ  I 
can  do  nothing,  and  I  have  not  fully  proved  the  truth  of  the  words, 
'  Through  Christ  which  strengtheneth  me,  I  can  do  all  things. 
I  have  been  praying  for  more  grace  .to  do  his  will  as  an  heir  of 
glory,  that  I  may  no  longer  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  may  not 
give  any  offence  to  the  church  of  Grod.  Lord  help  me,  for  thy 
help  I  need." 

A  short  extract  will  be  given  from  his  diary :  "January  3d. 
Expounded  Matt.  vii.  1-12,  this  evening.  Very  few  at  meeting. 
Had  not  much  liberty  in  speaking.  Fear  my  people  (the  church 
in  Norfolk)  see  some  defect  in  me  which  renders  my  labors  useless 
to  them.  Lord  help  us  to  search  and  see.  Oh  search  us  thyself, 
and  try  us,  and  see  if  there  be  any  evil  way  in  us,  and  lead  us  in 
the  way  everlasting !  I  feel  my  very  great  deficiency,  and  instead 
of  being  surprised  that  so  few  come,  I  ought  rather  to  be  so,  that 
any  attend  my  ministry.  Fear  I  shall  be  left  to  myself  at  some 
time,  to  mortify  my  pride  and  self-suSiciency.  0  thou  whose  com- 
passions never  fail,  look  in  pity  on  my  soul !  Oh  give  me  thy 
Spirit,  and  let  it  be  poured  out  from  on  high  on  the  people  !" 

VOL.  I. — 2  a  42* 


498  NOAH   DAVIS. 

"Jaly  10th.  A  week  ago  from  this  completed  the  third  year  of 
my  married  life.  I  thank  God  for  giving  me  such  a  companion. 
Our  pathway  has  not  been  free  from  thorns,  but  these  we  must  ex- 
pect in  the  wilderness  of  this  world.  We  have  had  some  difficulties, 
and  were  bereaved  of  our  first-born,  but  the  Lord  has  shown  us 
so  much  of  his.  goodness  and  mercy  amid  all,  that  we  have  to  ac- 
count them  as  matters  of  thankfulness,  instead  of  discontent ;  we 
have  not  learned  as  much  as  we  probably  ought  and  might  from 
his  corrections ;  but  we  hope  they  have  not  passed  by  as  wholly 
unprofitable.  No  doubt  we  shall  see  the  time  when  they  shall  be 
numbered  among  the  greatest  mercies  of  our  lives. 

'  Ye  fearful  saints,  fresh  courage  take  ; 
The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread 
Ai-e  big  with  mercies,  and  -will  break 
With  blessings  on  your  head.' " 

It  has  been  already  intimated  that  Elder  Davis's  residence  in 
Norfolk  was  of  short  duration.  To  his  suggestions  the  Baptists 
are  indebted  for  the  existence  of  the  Baptist  General  Tract  So- 
ciety. In  a  letter  written  to  a  brother  in  Washington,  dated 
February  14th,  1824,  he  thus  exhibits  his  sentiments  on  the  sub- 
ject :  "  I  have  been  thinking  for  some  time  how  a  tract  society 
can  be  gotten  up  in  Washington,  which  shall  hold  the  same  place 
among  Baptists  that  the  American  Tract  Society  does  among  Con- 
gregationalists.  I  now  feel  very  much  the  necessity  of  having 
tracts  to  scatter  in  the  waste  places.  It  is  a  plan  of  doing  good 
scarcely  thought  of  among  Baptists." 

Such  was  the  influence  of  his  appeals,  that  a  meeting  was  called, 
and  on  the  25th  of  February,  1824,  the  society  was  formed.  Under 
the  judicious  management  of  Mr.  George  Wood,  the  society  con- 
tinued to  advance  until,  at  his  suggestion  and  the  advice  of  others, 
it  was  located  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  Mr.  Davis  was 
invited  to  the  management  of  its  concerns.  This  office  being 
accepted,  there  was  now  opened  before  him  a  new  and  interesting 
field  of  labor.  The  position  was  high  and  commanding.  It 
afforded  the  opportunity  of  exerting  a  salutary  influence  over  the 
w^hole  denomination.  Perhaps  nowhere  could  he  have  found  so 
wide  a  scope  for  the  employment  of  his  talents,  and  few  men  were 


NOAH  DAVIS.  499 

as  well  qualified  as  he  to  occupy  the  station.  He  was  pre-enai- 
nently  fitted  for  the  work.  His  mind  was  of  that  energetic  cast, 
that  he  was  able  to  grasp  and  control  the  weighty  interests  of  a . 
national  institution.  His  views  were  enlarged,  his  aims  lofty  and 
noble.  Had  he  been  a  mere  worldling,  he  would  have  found  him- 
self in  his  proper  element,  when  engaged  in  grand  and  important 
enterprises.  But  besides  his  natural  talent  for  business,  the  heart 
of  Davis  had  felt  the  expansive  power  of  Christian  benevelence. 
He  knew  how  to  sympathize  with  the'  woes  of  a  guilty  world,  and' 
he  aimed  to  relieve  them.  Por  this  he  entered  the  agency  of  the 
Tract  Society.  "  His  heart,"  says  Mr.  Knowles,  "  was  in  the  work; 
a  qualification  without  which  no  man  ever  accomplished  much. 
He  possessed  unusual  talents  for  business.  He  was  active,  affa- 
ble, and  prompt.  He  spoke  with  fluency,  and  when  excited,  with 
much  power  and  eloquence.  His  full,  loud,  and  sonorous  voice  ; 
his  manly  person ;  his  simple,  direct,  and  forcible  diction,  gave 
him  great  advantages  in  preaching,  and  especially  in  occasional 
addresses." 

The  following  reference  to  his  efforts  and  success  in  the  agency 
is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  William  T.  Brantley,  who  was  intimately 
associated  with  him  in  the  operations  of  the  Tract  Society :  "  The 
removal  of  our  departed  brother  from  Norfolk,  and  the  transfer 
of  the  tract  operations  from  Wasliington  to  Philadelphia,  at  his 
instance,  were  among  the  last  important  changes  in  his  life.  Here 
he  entered  the  field  of  labor  with  all  his  might.  The  little  inte- 
rest, which  had  almost  subsided  into  non-existence,  began,  in  his 
hands,  to  gain  strength  and  to  assume  a  new  character.  He 
enlarged  the  plan,  reduced  to  method  its  disjointed  parts,  roused 
our  dormant  energies,  and  infused  into  the  whole  concern  a  new 
spirit  of  action.  His  habits  of  good  management  and  economy 
were  carried  into  this  service;  his  capacity  and  readiness  in 
shaping  into  practicable  dimensions  a  complex  system  were  of 
admirable  use  in  a  business  consisting  of  so  many  minor  details. 
But  the  rapid  growth  of  the  society,  the  increasing  demand  for 
its  publications,  the  extension  of  its  operations  to  almost  every 
part  of  this  Union,  will  evince,  with  more  force  than  we  can 
command,  the  value  of  those  labors  bestowed  upon  it  by  its 
assiduous  and  intelligent  agent.     The  estimate  of  his  usefulness 


500  NOAH   DAVIS. 

must  not  be  restricted  to  the  particular  avocation  which  we  are 
now  considering.  Besides  his  main  business  of  preaching  by- 
means  of  tracts,  he  sounded  the  gospel  abroad  in  many  places 
where  he  traveled,  and  in  others  he  preached  more  statedly,  with 
great  efiFect.  He  collected  and  published  many  useful  facts  con- 
nected with  the  statistics  of  our  denomination.  He  was  ready  to 
aid  by  his  presence  and  countenance  every  good  proposition ;  and 
was  always  among  the  first  to  contribute  such  means  as  were  at 
his  disposal  for  the  promotion  of  useful  expedients. 

"His  mind  was  naturally  capable  of  great  research.  He  could 
divest  difficult  subjects  of  their  obscurity;  could  see  readily 
through  the  mazes  of  an  intricate  proposition ;  could  arrange  and 
methodize  a  multifarious  business ;  and  conduct  doubtful  plans  to 
a  good  result.  Many  of  his  addresses  from  the  pulpit — and  on 
occasions  connected  with  public  objects — were  distinguished  by 
much  force  and  discrimination.  They  will  be  long  remembered 
by  many  whose  hearts  were  deeply  affected  by  his  moving  appeals." 

In  one  respect  Elder  Davis  was  peculiarly  well  qualified  for  the 
office  he  filled.  He  entertained  scriptural  views  of  Christian 
benevolence.  In  all  his  correspondence  and  public  addresses  he 
urges  the  duty  of  ransomed  sinners  to  work  for  God.  He  con- 
sidered the  church  as  belonging  to  Christ,  and  sought  to  rouse 
the  .denomination  of  which  he  was  a  member  to  regard  their 
obligations.  Referring  to  this  subject,  he  says :  "  There  is  great 
responsibility  resting  on  the  Baptists  of  the  United  States ;  for 
'to  whomsoever  much  is  given,  of  him  shall  be  much  required.' 
At  least  two  millions  of  the  population  of  this  country  are  so 
connected  with  us  that  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel  to  them 
must  be  done  mainly  through  our  efforts.  Many  millions  in  other 
portions  of  the  earth  are  accessible  to  the  ministers  of  Christ,  to 
whom  men  should  be  sent  from  us  with  the  Word  of  Life.  Are  we 
exerting  ourselves  to  fulfill  our  duty  to  these  dying  millions  ? 
Have  we  begun  to  do  what  we  can  and  ought  to  do  for  them  ? 
Are  our  ministers  engaged  as  they  should  be  in  the  work  of  the 
Master?  Are  they  striving  not  only  to  feed  the  people  with 
knowledge  and  understanding,  but  also  to  provoke  them  to 
activity  in  promoting  the  prosperity  of  Zion  ?  Much  we  know 
is  done  by  many,  but  very  much  more  remains  to  be  effected, 


NOAH  DAVIS.  501 

The  Baptists  of  this  land,  because  of  their  numbers  and  resources, 
are  capable  of  doing  great  things.  We  profess  purity  of  faith. 
Our  holy  lives  and  zealous  endeavors  to  convert  souls  ought  to 
show  it.  Is  it  then  our  duty,  or  is  it  not,  to  pray,  and  labor,  and 
give  of  our  substance,  that  the  'way  of  God  may' be  known  upon 
earth,  and  his  saving  health  among  all  nations'  ?" 

There  is  one  interesting  fact  connected  with  the  life  of  this 
worthy  man  which  deserves  a  special  record.  In  the  early  part 
of  his  Christian  course  he  indulged  a  strong  desire  to  spend  his 
life  in  some  part  of  the  heathen  world.  An  abiding  confidence 
in  the  prophecies  concerning  the  latter-day  glory  was  cherished. 
Casting  his  eye  over  this  apostate  globe  and  recollecting  what 
God  had  promised,  his  constant  prayer  was,  "  Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  to  do?"  In  the  sincerity  of  his  heart  he  said, 
"  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  heareth."  The  following  references 
to  his  feelings  on  this  subject  furnish  an  indication  of  disinte- 
rested anxiety  to  do  the  will  of  God : — 

Addressing  his  brethren  in  the  early  part  of  1825,  he  says  : 
"  The  spirit  of  missions  is  love  to  souls ;  therefore,  by  their  value, 
we  entreat  you  all  to  become  missionaries  at  home — to  your 
families  and  neighborhoods.  This  will  afford  the  best  proof  that 
you  are  sincere  in  your  professions  of  love  to  the  Redeemer  and 
his  cause.  Pray  for,  and  exhort  all  around  you,  that  they  may 
seek  an  interest  in  the  Saviour's  merits ;  distribute  Bibles,  tracts, 
and  other  useful  books.  The  Lord  often  blesses  these  means. 
And  know,  that  whosoever  converteth  a  sinner  from  the  error  of 
his  ways  shall  save  a  soul  from  death,  and  shall  shine  as  a  star  in 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  above." 

In  his  diary  for  1826  he  thus  writes:  "I  have  had  my  mind 
much  on  the  subject  of  missionary  work  among  the  heathen. 
Endeavored  last  night  to  move  the  spirit  of  it  among  my  people. 
I  read,  at  the  prayer-meeting,  Rev.  Gordon  Hall's  Address  to 
American  Christians  and  ministers.  Surely  we  wrong  the  souls 
of  the  perishing  heathen  by  doing  so  little  for  them.  The  work 
of  a  missionary  must  be  truly  self-denying,  trying,  and  laborious. 
It  requires  much  of  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  untiring  zeal,  and  inex- 
tinguishable love.  In  meditating  on  this  subject  I  have  had  some 
uncommon  views  of  my  own  weakness  and  insignificance.     The 


502  NOAH  DAVIS. 

work  appears  so  important  that,  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  and  I 
can  be  assured  of  it,  I  will  go  anywhere  among  the  dying  nations 
to  make  known  the  Saviour's  love.  I  dare  not  say  that  I  have 
the  necessary  grace ;  but  I  know  Christ  can  and  will  give  it  to 
me  if  he  wills  me  to  go  into  this  department  of  labor." 

"October  6th,  1826.  How  am  I  to  know  whether  it  is  the 
will  of  Christ  for  me  to  go  to  any  part  of  the  heathen  world  ? 
This,  to  me,  is  an  important  and  interesting  inquiry.  I  have,  I 
trust,  a  love  for  Jesus ;  a  delight  in  his  work ;  a  love  of  souls ; 
and  particularly  a  compassion  for  the  miserable  heathen.  They 
are  given  to  Christ  for  an  inheritance,  and  he  has  promised  to  take 
possession  and  save  a  multitude  of  them.  I  should  be  glad  to 
have  the  privilege  of  preaching  Christ  crucified  to  any  of  them. 
To  one  engaged  in  such  a  work  the  promises  of  Christ  ought  to 
be  exceedingly  precious.  The  effort  has  been  made  by  hundreds ; 
and  why  should  not  I  do  as  much  as  others  when  my  obligations 
are  no  less  ?" 

Thus  was  our  dear  brother  long  agitating  the  question  whether 
he  should  labor  in  foreign  lands  or  remain  in  this  country.  But 
having  been  pressingly  urged  to  engage  in  the  tract  agency,  and 
finding  in  it  a  wide  range  for  doing  good,  he  considered  it  an 
indication  of  the  Divine  pleasure  that  he  should  occupy  this  field. 
But  he  did  not  therefore  relinquish  the  views  and  feelings  of  a 
missionary.  The  labors  upon  which  he  entered,  when  he  removed 
to  Philadelphia,  were  arduous,  and  involving  great  responsibility; 
and  his  great  object  was  to  subserve  the  interest  of  Christ's  king- 
dom and  the  salvation  of  souls.  There  never  was  a  period  to 
the  close  of  his  life  when  he  would  not  joyfully  have  followed  the 
leadings  of  Providence  as  a  messenger  of  glad  tidings  to  the  most 
distant  clime.  The  following  record  from  his  journal  refers  to 
this  subject:  "Yesterday  completed  my  twenty-fifth  year.  The 
review  of  the  past  discovers  the  changing  nature  of  life  and  its 
connections.  I  have  changed  my  place  of  residence ;  given  up  a 
pastoral  care ;  and,  instead  of  being  a  missionary  in  some  distant 
part  of  the  world,  am  now,  in  Philadelphia,  agent  of  the  Baptist 
General  Tract  Society.  It  is  an  important  station,  and  one  in 
which,  if  the  Lord  will,  I  may  be  very  useful.  Anywhere  or 
anyhow,  dear  Lord,  only  let  me  serve  my  generation  according 


NOAH  DAVIS.  603 

to  thy  will.  I  think  I  should  feel  no  unwillingness  to  be  a  mis- 
sionary and  to  embark  in  the  toils  and  trials  of  such  a  work.  But 
the  Lord  knows  what  is  best  for  me,  and  he  may  see  that  I  am 
not  fit  for  that  work,  but  has  other  labor  for  me  to  perform.  I 
sometimes  fear  that  I  am  not  in  the  right  place,  because  I  have 
so  little  personal  comfort  in  religion  and  communion  with  God  in 
secret." 

"Anywhere,  or  anyhoiu,  only  let  me  serve  my  generation 
according  to  Thy  vjill.''^  This  was  the  ruling  desire  of  his  heart. 
It  was  in  perfect  conformity  to  such  a  sentiment  that  he  toiled  in 
the  tract  cause.  Expressions  of  the  self-denying  spirit  which  he 
habitually  cherished,  and  which  would  have  taken  him  anywhere. 
Mr.  Brantley  says  :  "  Noah  Davis  possessed  qualities  of  no  com- 
mon kind.  His  capacity  for  the  transaction  of  business  would 
have  insured  him  wealth  and  respectability  in  any  community. 
The  patronage  under  which  he  could  have  entered  upon  commer- 
cial pursuits  in  Philadelphia  was  such  as  few  young  men  could 
boast.  !Nor  was  his  mind  naturally  so  formed  as  to  be  indifferent 
to  the  inducements  of  secular  advantage ;  but  he  had  learned 
Christ  in  such  a  manner  as  to  become  willing  to  consecrate  to  him 
all  the  talents  which  he  possessed.  He  was  prepared  to  forego 
the  comfort  and  accommodation  of  houses,  lands,  and  kindred,  to 
serve  the  blessed  Jesus." 

The  following  testimony  to  his  disposition  to  seek  not  his  own, 
but  another's  good,  is  furnished  by  Elder  John  L.  Dagg:  "The 
trait  of  Brother  Davis's  character  which  was  least  known,  even 
to  his  intimate  friends,  was  his  disinterestedness.  Though  I  was 
myself  very  intimate  with  him,  my  estimate  of  his  character  in 
this  respect  has  undergone  a  great  change  by  the  perusal  of  his 
numerous  letters  of  his  most  confidential  correspondence  with  her 
who  shared  equally  in  all  his  secular  interests.  And  yet  I  cannot 
make  any  extract  which  will  exhibit  the  proof  that  these  manu- 
scripts furnish  on  this  point;  for  it  is  not  by  any  professions  or 
positive  declarations  which  these  contain  that  this  trait  is  dis- 
coverable, but  by  the  absence  of  everything  that  would  have  pro- 
ceeded from  a  mind  not  free,  in  an  extraordinary  degree,  from 
worldly  care.  Every  letter  is  religious;  not  one  is  secular. 
Scarcely  an  inquiry  or  suggestion  respecting  their  private  interests 


504  NOAH  DAVIS. 

is  to  be  found  in  the  whole  mass.  Many  an  anxiety  is  expressed  for 
the  health  and  spiritual  prosperity  of  his  family,  and  many  a  calcula- 
tion of  dollars  for  the  Tract  Society  is  made,  but  not  one  for  the 
replenishing  of  his  purse,  often  nearly  reduced  to  emptiness.  His 
letters  are  full  of  affection  for  his  wife  and  children,  and  of  infor- 
mation, plans,  hopes,  and  fears,  respecting  the  Tract  Society  and 
other  objects  connected  with  the  interests  of  religion ;  but,  except 
the  bare  details  of  his  journey,  they  contain  nothing  else.  Of  in- 
formation, plans,  hopes,  and  fears  respecting  the  pecuniary  inte- 
rests of  himself  and  family,  they  are  absolute  emptiness.  Yet 
the  great  part  of  this  correspondence  was  carried  on  at  times 
when  he  was  traveling  in  the  services  of  the  Tract  Society,  and 
when  his  income  was  barely  sufficient  for  his  family  support. 
"When  he  left  Norfolk,  to  take  the  agency  of  the  Tract  Society, 
his  income  was  $600 ;  and  a  school,  which  his  wife  taught,  with 
his  occasional  assistance,  added  about  $1200.  Instead  of  this, 
as  she  distinctly  recollects,  he  stated  to  her  that  he  expected,  for 
the  first  years  of  his  services  as  agent,  to  receive  from  $200  to 
$400  per  annum,  and  to  take  a  school  in  Philadelphia  was  neither 
designed  nor  attempted.  Assuredly  it  was  not,  and  any  one  who 
will  read  these  letters  will  know  that  it  was  not,  for  the  salary  of 
the  agency  that  he  accepted  the  office. 

"To  the  preceding  remarks  there  is  one  exception  that  I  have 
noticed,  if  exception  it  deserves  to  be  called.  It  is  found  in  a 
letter  written  on  the  way  to  Utica,  August  16th,  1827.  An  allu- 
sion is  here  made  to  personal  interest,  but  it  is  made  in  such  a 
manner  as  evinces  the  caution  and  self-distrust  with  which  he 
approached  that  subject :  '  There  is  a  time  coming  when,  if  I  con- 
tinue agent  of  the  society,  (as  I  presume  I  shall,)  it  will  be  neces- 
sary for  me  to  remain  almost  constantly  at  home.  The  corre- 
spondence, etc.  will  be  so  much  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  leave 
it  and  you  long  at  a  time.  When  that  comes  to  pass,  it  will  be 
in  connection  with  such  an  increase  of  funds  that  I  shall  have 
no  need,  on  account  of  personal  interest,  to  take  journeys. 
Though  I  speak  of  personal  interest  as  having  something  to 
do  in  stimulating  my  exertions,  I  don't  know  how  much  effect 
it  has ;  I  will  leave  you  to  judge,  who  know  perhaps  quite  as 
well  as  I  do.' 


NOAH   DAVIS.  505 

"To  evince  his  indifference  or  superiority  to  the  praise  of  men, 
one  extract  will  suffice.  It  alludes  to  some  praises  that  our 
deceased  brother,  A.  W.  Clopton,  had  bestowed  on  him.  I  must 
premise  that  he  had  the  greatest  respect  for  Brother  Clopton, 
and  valued  his  judgment,  honesty,  piety,  and  zeal,  very  highly. 
The  words  are :  '  Clopton's  puff  superlative  will  do  us  no  good. 
None  of  us  are  doing  what  we  might  do  for  God's  cause.  All 
have  occasion  to  be  humbled  on  account  of  our  shortcomings, 
and  confess  ourselves  to  be  unprofitable  servants.  I  never  felt 
my  deficiencies,  as  an  agent,  more  than  lately.  He  does  not 
know  how  much  others  are  doing,  or  he  would  not  say  so.'" 

It  would  gratify  his  friends  in  IS'orfolk  to  read  an  extract  of  a 
letter  written  by  him  soon  after  his  removal  from  that  place,  in 
which  appears  the  deep  interest  that  he  felt  in  their  spiritual  wel- 
fare: '"'But  Brother  Hendren's  letter — how  many  different  sen- 
sations were  excited  in  my  mind  in  about  half  an  hour !  He 
says :  '  They  have  heard  from  Brother  Broaddus,  and  he  cannot 
go.  It  is  uncertain  as  to  Brother  Ball ;  he  is  to  visit  them  next, 
month.  They  have  had  no  preaching  for  some  time  ;  but,  in  the 
midst  of  all,  a  revival  has  commenced.  Brother  D.,  I  wish  you 
were  here ;  but,  as  you  are  not,  do  pray  for  us ;  intercede  with 
the  Lord  to  carry  on  his  work  here ;  it  would  do  you  good  to  see 
those  weeping  to  whom  you  once  preached.'  This  is  good  news, 
indeed !  0  Lord,  revive  thy  work  more  and  more.  Oh  revive  it 
in  our  poor  hearts  !" 

In  the  preceding  extracts  from  his  correspondence  and  journal 
enough  is  found  to  evince  the  ardor  of  his  love  to  God,  and  the 
strength  of  his  sympathy  for  dying  men.  His  attainments  in 
holiness  were  of  no  ordinary  character.  ISTor  could  it  be  other- 
wise. He  was  much  with  God.  In  contemplating  the  Divine 
excellence,  there  will  be  felt  a  transforming  influence.  Behold- 
ing, as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  we  are  changed  into  the 
same  image,  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord.  Thus  it  was  with  our  esteemed  brother.  He  was  a  man 
of  prayer.  From  the  mount  of  communion  with  God  he  often 
came  down,  his  heart  burning  with  holy  desire  to  diffuse  abroad 
the  heavenly  influence  he  had  received.  The  extract  which 
follows,  from  the  pen  of  Brainerd,  was  found  in  his  pocket-book 

YOL.  I.  43 


506  NOAH  DAVIS. 

after  his  decease.     He  could  experimentally  adopt  the  sentiment 
as  his  own: — 

Glory  of  God.  "My  heaven  is  to  please  God,  to  give  all  to 
him,  to  be  wholly  devoted  to  his  glory ;  that  is  the  heaven  I  long 
for ;  that  is  my  religion ;  that  is  my  happiness,  and  always  was, 
ever  since  I  suppose  I  had  any  true  religion.  I  do  not  go  to 
heaven  to  get  honor,  but  to  give  all  possible  glory  and  praise 
It  is  no  matter  where  I  shall  be  stationed  in  heaven,  whether  I 
have  a  high  or  a  low  seat  there ;  but  to  love,  and  please,  and  glo- 
rify God,  is  all.  Had  I  a  thousand  souls,  (if  they  were  worth 
anything,)  I  would  give  them  all  to  him  ;  but  I  have  nothing  to 
give,  when  all  is  done.  My  heart  goes  out  to  the  burying- 
ground;  it  seems  to  me  a  desirable  place;  but,  oh,  to  glorify 
God  I  that  is  it,  that  is  above  all !  It  is  a  great  comfort  for  me 
to  think  that  I  have  done  a  little  for  God  in  the  world.  Oh,  it 
is  a  very  small  matter  I  yet  I  have  done  a  little,  and  lament  that 
I  have  not  done  more  for  him.  There  is  nothing  in  this  world 
.worth  living  for,  but  doing  good,  living  to  God,  pleasing  him,  and 
doing  his  whole  will." 

In  one  of  his  letters,  he  thus  describes  a  season  of  special  reli- 
gious enjoyment :  "  I  was  alone  in  my  room ;  I  gave  myself  to 
prayer;  the  season  was  particularly  comfortable ;  I  felt  an  unusual 
reluctance  to  leave  the  delightful  service.  You  had  been  borne 
before  the  Lord  in  supplication.  In  rising  from  my  knees,  in  a 
sweet  frame  of  mind,  I  began  to  pace  the  floor,  when  the  love  of 
Jesus  appeared  to  be  manifest  to  my  soul,  after  the  manner  of  in- 
crease of  morning  light.  I  was  filled  with  gratitude  at  his  mercy. 
My  soul  exulted  in  its  God ;  I  breathed  forth  its  sensations ;  tears 
of  joy  flowed  from  my  eyes.  The  Lord  seemed  indeed  present. 
Never  before  did  I  feel  such  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
I  felt  love  to  the  children  of  the  Saviour,  and  astonished  at  the 
fact  that  I  was  experiencing  this  without  possessing  any  worthiness, 
and  when  I  did  not  seem  to  look  for  it  more  than  at  other  times. 
Then  I  regretted  that  so  soon  this  foretaste  would  pass  away. 
Oh,  why  not  always  weep  tears  of  joy  !  why  not  always  experi- 
ence the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  the  soul  1  Then  my  thoughts 
turned  to  glory,  where  there  will  be  no  cessation  or  interruption 
of  our  bliss.     I  thought  of  our  love,  and  rejoiced  principally.    I 


NOAH    DAVIS.  50Y 

thanked  God  for  it,  that  we  were  one  in  Christ.  I  asked  myself 
the  question,  'Would  I  prefer  to  go,  to  be  with  Jesus,  to  staying 
with  you ?'  'Yes,'  said  I,  'if  it  were  Grod's  will,  even  this  night ! 
She  is  Christ's,  and  will  soon  be  there ;  and  how  shall  we  place 
earthly  joys,  which  are  transient,  in  competition  with  heavenly, 
which  are  eternal  ?  How  shall  any  one  be  preferred  to  the  Lord 
our  Redeemer  ?'  Indeed,  I  felt  that  I  would  leave  you  in  the 
Lord's  hands,  and  felt  assured  that  his  favor  and  presence  is  of 
infinitely  more  consequence  to  you  than  I  can  possibly  be  in  any 
way  whatever.  I  thank  my  Master  for  this,  and  hope  that  many, 
many  more  such  seasons  may  be  mine.  But  I  find  that  I  am  in 
the  world  yet,  to  serve  my  Master,  I  trust,  and  be  perfected  in 
fitness  for  his  presence  with  exceeding  joy." 

A  few  days  previous  to  the  date  of  this  letter,  he  thus  writes  in 
his  diary,  July  25th,  1829 :  "Ten  years  ago,  I  was  baptized  into 
Jesus  Christ,  and  first  partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  in  the  San- 
som  Street  Church,  Philadelphia.  Ten  years !  how  soon  have 
they  gone  forever  1  And  how  little  have  I  done  for  the  honor  of 
my  Master  and  the  salvation  of  men  1  Blessed  be  his  name,  he 
has  not  forsaken  me,  nor  allowed  me  to  forsake  him  or  his  cause." 

One  who  knew  him  best,  thus  speaks  of  his  latter  days :  "For 
the  last  two  months,  I  believe  that  the  Lord  was  preparing  him 
for  that  unutterable  bliss  which  he  is  now  enjoying.  A  spirit  of 
meekness  seemed  to  rule  all  his  conduct.  Seldom  have  I  seen 
more  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  any  of  his  followers.  A  holy 
calmness  seemed  to  have  taken  possession  of  his  mind.  He  was 
sensibly  alive  to  every  relative  claim  ;  but  these  claims,  closely  as 
they  were  wound  about  his  heart,  were  all  subservient  to  his 
Master's  cause." 

In  reference  to  his  sudden  death.  Brother  Brantley  remarks : 
"  His  health  was  infirm ;  and  though  his  application  to  the  duties 
of  his  station  was  unremitting  and  efficient,  yet  he  often  groaned, 
being  burdened  under  the  frailties  of  a  feeble  constitution.  Those 
of  less  decision  and  zeal  than  he  possessed  would  have  resigned 
themselves  to  supineness  and  inaction  under  such  bodily  infirmities 
as  he  endured.  But  he  counted  not  his  life  dear  in  view  of  the 
weighty  care  which  the  interest  of  his  fellow-men  devolved  upon 
him.     We  have  seldom  known  an  instance  in  which  the  spending 


508  NOAH   DAVIS. 

and  being  spent  for  God  were  more  in  accordance  with  true 
Christian  devotedness.  Death  covld  not  come  unexpected  to 
him.  His  transit  from  us  was  sudden,  but  not  confused.  For  a 
long  time  we  had  seen  him  reaching  forth  after  the  incorruptible 
inheritance,  spreading  his  wings  for  flight,  raised  aloft  on  the 
summit  of  holy  hope,  and  viewing  with  intense  delight  the  distant 
scenes  of  the  promised  glory.  All  his  matters  were  arranged, 
his  house  was  in  order,  and  he  was  awaiting  his  final  discharge. 

"It  would  have  been  grateful  to  have  a  dying  testimony  from 
the  lips  of  such  a  Christian.  It  would  have  been  grateful  to  be- 
dew with  the  farewell  tear  of  affection  the  conscious  bosom  of  such 
a  brother.  But  these  small  mitigations  of  our  grief  could  not  be 
allowed :  the  loss  of  sensation  and  consciousness  were  the  fatal 
symptoms  under  which  his  manly  form  sunk  almost  without  warn- 
ing. The  spirit  that  lingered  a  short  time  about  him  could  not 
control  its  shattered  and  dismembered  tenement.  We  were,  there- 
fore, left  to  witness,  without  the  ability  to  relieve,  the  last  struggles 
of  a  prostrate  frame.  The  month  of  July,  in  which  he  was  born, 
in  which  he  was  baptized,  in  which  he  was  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  in  which  he  was  married,  witnessed  his  passage 
from  time  to  eternity.  He  died  on  Thursday  morning,  July  15th, 
a  few  days  less  than  twenty-eight  years." 

The  Tract  Magazine,  of  which  he  was  editor,  contains  an  allu- 
sion to  this  aflfecting  event :  "This  number  closes  the  earthly  labors 
of  the  late  editor.  It  is  a  satisfaction  to  the  writer  of  this,  that 
he  has  been  enabled  to  finish  it  thus  far  in  the  very  words,  and, 
as  he  believes,  arranged  exactly  as  the  editor  would  have  done  it 
himself  Providence  seems  to  have  spared  him  just  long  enough 
to  leave  it  so  that  it  could  be  easily  finished,  and  it  is  believed 
that  he  has  left  all  his  business  in  the  same  easy  train  of  comple- 
tion; so  that  it  may  be  said  of  him,  that  he  had  finished  the  work 
that  had  been  given  him  to  do.  Though  taken  apparently  in  the 
midst  of  his  years,  (being  only  twenty-eight  years  of  age,)  and  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  his  Master  accomplished  by  him  his 
own  wise  purposes,  and  then  relieved  him  from  the  pains  and 
anxieties  of  this  life,  and  took  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  himself" 

On  the  thirteenth  instant,  in  the  afternoon,  he  felt  a  little  indis- 
posed, and  took  some  medicine,  supposing  he  would  feel  bettei 


NOAH    DAVIS.  509 

after  it.  In  the  evening  the  physician  was  sent  for.  About 
twelve  o'clock  he  became  insensible,  and  continued  so  until  six 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  fifteenth,  when  he  breathed  his  last. 
As  he  had  no  premonition  of  his  approaching  end,  he  had  not 
any  opportunity  of  leaving  a  dying  experience.  It  was  not  neces- 
sary. His  life  was  sufficient  evidence  of  his  state.  The  oppor- 
tunity the  writer  of  this  had  of  seeing  him  devote  his  days  and 
his  nights  to  the  service  of  his  Master,  leaves  no  doubt  on  his 
mind  of  his  present  situation. 

Thus  died  one  of  the  most  talented,  lovely,  and  useful  servants 
of  Christ,  which  the  present  century  has  known.  In  the  vigor 
of  life  he  was  taken  away.  How  unexpectedly  did  he  surrender 
his  stewardship ! — 

"Many  fall  as  sudden,  few  as  safe." 

The  following  reference,  made  to  his  removal,  and  some  other 
interesting  circumstances,  is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Dagg :  "He  has 
left  a  text-book  of  sixty-two  pages,  in  which  are  regularly  noted 
all  the  sermons  that  he  preached  during  the  last  four  and  a  half 
years  of  his  ministry.  The  last  sermon  was  preached  at  Haddon- 
field,  New  Jersey,  July  4th,  1830,  from  the  words,  'But  of  him 
are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  and 
righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  redemption,'  (1  Cor.  i.  30.) 
The  insertion  of  this  text  filled  up  the  last  page  of  the  book,  ex- 
cept a  small  space,  in  which  he  wrote  the  following  lines,  sub- 
scribing them  with  his  name:  'I  was  baptized  July  4th,  1819, 
and  have  been  a  preacher  ten  years.  Have  preached  eight 
hundred  and  thirty-eight  times,  which  is  eighty-three  and  eight- 
tenths  sermons  a  year.  Can  only  subscribe  myself  an  unprofit- 
able servant,  and  beg  for  mercy  to  a  sinner  through  the  sufficient 
merit  of  Jesus.' 

"  Thus  he  filled  up  his  book  and  his  ministry  precisely  eleven 
years  from  the  day  of  his  baptism.  Thus  he  subscribes  his 
name;  and  casting  himself  upon  the  merits  of  his  Redeemer, 
closed  the  account  of  his  ministerial  labors.  Death,  unseen,  stood 
at  his  side  as  he  executed  the  deed,  But  he  was  prepared,  at  any 
moment,  to  meet  the  ghastly  messenger ;  and  had  he  seen  his  ter- 
rific form,  he  would  probably  have  closed  the  account  just  us  he 

43* 


510  NOAH   DAVIS. 

did.  A  few  weeks  before  liis  death,  I  was  cast  low  upon  a  bed 
of  sickness,  from  whicli  I  expected  never  to  rise.  He  visited  me 
with  brethren  David  Jones,  Thomas  Brown,  and  Joseph  Cone,  all 
able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament,  and  a,mong  my  most  inti- 
mate friends,  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord.  They  all,  I  think,  ex- 
pected, as  I  did,  that  the  time  of  our  separation  was  near ;  but 
how  little  did  any  of  us  understand  the  inscrutable  purposes  of 
God !  The  time  of  separation  was  indeed  near ;  for  in  a  few  short 
months  all  these  brethren  were  taken  to  their  rest,  while  I  am 
still  tossed  on  life's  tempestuous  sea,  not  knowing  which  wave  is 
destined  to  receive  me.  To  the  affectionate  attentions  of  Brother 
Davis,  the  restoration  of  my  health  was,  in  a  great  measure,  at- 
tributable. As  soon  as  I  was  able  to  take  exercise  in  a  carriage, 
he  not  only  devised  measures  to  procure  that  exercise  for  me,  but, 
with  assiduous  care,  accompanied  me  each  day  in  the  short  ex- 
cursions I  was  at  first  able  to  make.  Afterwards,  he  projected  a 
plan  to  take  me  with  him  on  one  of  his  tours  in  the  service  of  the 
Tract  Society,  designing  to  bestow  such  attention  to  my  slowly 
returning  health  as  would  tend  to  re-establish  it.  This  plan  Ms 
death  frustrated.  His  solicitude  for  my  recovery  resulted  not  so 
much  from  personal  attachment  to  me,  as  from  love  to  the  cause 
of  Christ,  in  which  he  believed  my  life  might  be  useful.  The 
shock  which  I  received  from  the  sudden  announcement  is  never  to 
be  forgotten.  I  had  not  heard  of  his  illness.  He  vanished  from 
us,  as  Brother  Brantley  has  expressed  it,  like  a  winged  dream. 
So,  though  by  a  less  hasty  flight,  have  Jones,  and  Brown,  and 
Cone  departed.  Surely  this  life  is  all  a  dream.  How  unlooked 
for,  how  wonderfal,  how  astonishing  are  its  events !  Great 
Author  of  my  being,  give  me  acquiescence  in  thy  will,  and  help 
me  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  my  days  in  some  useful  service  iu 
thy  cause ;  and  when  thou  shalt  call  me  hence,  give  me  a  place 
among  those  who  have  thus  taught  me  how  to  live  and  how  to 
die  " 

An  extract  from  the  pen  of  Professor  Knowles  will  close  this 
sketch :  "  I  may  say,  with  entire  truth,  that  the  death  of  Mr. 
Da'fjs  was  a  loss  to  our  denomination,  and  to  the  Christian  world. 
While  his  feelings  were  liberal  toward  all  men,  and  he  cordially 
prayed  that  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  might  be  multiplied  to  all 


NOAH  DAVIS.  511 

who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  he  felt  a  special  con- 
cern for  the  welfare  of  our  own  churches.  It  was  a  desire  for 
their  benefit,  which  impelled  him  to  exertion  in  the  cause  of  tracts. 
It  was  because  he  was  convinced  that  our  churches  would  be  more 
generally  interested  in  tracts,  if  there  were  a  society  under  our 
own  control,  that  he  advocated  its  cause,  while  toward  that  noble 
institution,  the  American  Tract  Society,  he  felt  the  utmost  cor- 
diality. He  collected,  with  great  labor,  the  statistics  of  the  de- 
nomination, and  his  annual  table  of  associations,  published  in  the 
Tract  Magazine,  was  the  most  accurate  and  complete  account  of 
our  churches  which  has  been  published.  Perhaps  no  young  man 
among  us  was  contributing  more  directly  and  powerfully  to  ad- 
vance the  interests  of  the  Baptist  denomination.  His  influence  is 
not  to  be  measured  by  the  importance  of  the  office  which  he  filled, 
though  that  was  a  post  of  great  usefulness.  His  office  merely  fur- 
nished a  medium  through  which  his  energetic  mind,  and  his  warm 
love  to  God  and  man,  were  enabled  to  act  on  the  Christian  com- 
munity. It  was  a  kind  of  observatory,  from  which  he  could  look 
abroad  on  the  wants  and  interests  of  the  churches,  and  from  which, 
with  telegraphic  rapidity,  he  could  spread  among  them  the  kind- 
ling emanations  of  his  own  and  other  minds.  Though  his  imme- 
diate object  was  the  distribution  of  tracts,  yet  there  was  no  exclu- 
siveness  in  his  aims  and  efforts.  He  regarded  the  cause  of  the 
Saviour  as  one,  combining,  indeed,  many  interests,  which  may  be 
advantageously  separated  and  pursued  individually,  with  concen- 
trated force ;  yet  he  viewed  that  cause  like  the  rainbow,  in  which 
the  several  rays  of  light  are  blended,  and  the  prism  through  which 
he,  in  bis  official  character,  contemplated  it,  only  presented  its 
colors  to  his  eye  in  a  more  beautiful  and  distinct  relation  to  each 
other.  Missions,  education.  Sabbath-schools,  the  distribution  of 
the  Bible,  all  modes  of  benevolent  enterprise,  held  a  place  in  his 
heart,  and  claimed  a  share  of  his  efforts,  while  he  was  directly 
toiling  in  the  great  cause  of  tracts. 

"He  never  sunk  into  a  mere  agent.  In  the  pulpit  he  preached 
with  the  zeal  of  a  missionary  and  the  free-hearted  affection  of  a 
pastor.  At  a  missionary  meeting  he  would  plead  for  the  heathen 
with  an  expansion  of  thought  and  feeling  which  stretched  beyond 
the  comparatively  little  space  in  which  he  was  laboring,  to  the 


512  JOHN  SPOTTS. 

wide  limits  of  the  great  field,  the  world.  Those  who  attended  the 
session  of  the  Boston  Association,  in  1829,  will  not  soon  forget  the 
spirit-stirring  eloquence  with  which  he  urged  the  necessity  of 
efforts  to  increase  the  number  and  the  qualifications  of  our  minis- 
ters. It  is  worth  mentioning  here,  as  an  illustration  of  the  zeal 
and  liberality  of  his  heart,  that,  at  the  Association,  when  a  sub- 
scription was  commenced  to  aid  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Edu- 
cation Society,  he  rose  and  offered  his  watch  as  a  contribution  to 
the  funds." 

He  is  gone.  Let  us,  who  remain  a  while  longer,  gird  ourselves 
for  increased  diligence,  looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  the 
glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 


JOHN    SPOTTS.* 

Elder  Spotts  was  born  8th  of  October,  1Y84.  His  parents 
were  of  German  origin,  and  resided  in  the  Valley  of  Yirginia.  In 
the  earlier  part  of  his  life  he  was  employed  for  a  number  of  years 
as  a  clerk  in  a  store.  He  made  a  public  profession  of  religion  by 
connecting  himself  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  when  about 
thirty  years  of  age.  His  attention  was  immovably  fixed  on  this 
all-important  subject  by  an  alarming  dream,  in  which  he  thought 
the  day  of  judgment  had  arrived  and  he  was  unprepared  for  its 
awful  solemnities.  While  every  intelligent  person  discards  that 
superstitious  belief  in  dreams  that  belongs  only  to  the  ignorant, 
there  are  but  few  who  will  not  acknowledge  that  our  heavenly 
Parent  may  convert  to  useful  purposes  the  fanciful  creations  of 
the  mind  in  our  sleeping  moments. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  an  active  elder  in  the  church 
with  which  he  stood  connected  for  a  number  of  years.  More  than 
twenty  years  of  his  life  were  devoted  to  teaching,  during  the  greater 
part  of  which  time  he  had  the  management  of  the  English  depart- 
ment in  the  Lewisburg  Academy.     The  estimation  in  which  he 

*  By  L.  A.  Alderson. 


JOHN  SPOTTS.  513 

was  held  as  an  instructor  may  be  learned  from  the  fact  that  his 
school  was  generally  crowded  to  overflowing. 

His  usefulness  as  a  Sunday-school  superintendent  cannot  be 
fully  developed  on  this  side  of  eternity.  He  was  among  the  first 
that  engaged  in  this  work  of  benevolence  in  Western  Yirginia ; 
and  during  the  space  of  sixteen  years  nothing  but  an  unavoidable 
circumstance  would  induce  him  to  be  absent  from  his  school.  With 
melancholy  pleasure  does  the  writer  look  back  upon  those  Sab- 
baths, when  Brother  Spotts,  with  feelings  "too  big  to  be  uttered," 
would  direct  his  pupils  to  Him  who  said,  "  Suffer  little  children 
to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven."  IS'or  were  his  efforts  in  vain,  for  many  of  his  scholars 
became  the  humble  followers  of  Jesus,  and  more  than  twenty  o/" 
them  engaged  in  the  gospel  ministry,  one  of  whom  was  a  mis- 
sionary in  China.  "He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh,"  through 
those  who  were  once  taught  by  him. 

He  was  among  the  first  to  engage  in  the  cause  of  the  temper- 
ance reformation.  His  influence  was  not  confined  to  the  Lewis- 
burg  Temperance  Society,  over  which  he  presided,  but  by  the  dis- 
tribution of  tracts,  and  public  addresses,  he  circulated  information 
through  the  circumjacent  country,  and  in  various  places  formed 
new  societies.  Such  was  his  opposition  to  intemperance,  that  he 
could  not  have  full  confidence  in  any  professor  of  religion  who 
would  drink  or  sell  spirituous  liquors. 

The  mind  of  Brother  Spotts  having  undergone  a  change  on  the 
subject  of  baptism,  he  connected  himself  with  the  Big  Levels 
Baptist  Church,  which  now  worships  in  Lewisburg,  on  the  Yth 
of  August,  1831.  Soon  afterwards  he  engaged  in  the  ministry; 
and  on  the  6th  of  May,  1832,  he  was  ordained  by  a  presbytery 
consisting  of  Elders  Y.  M.  Mason,  A.  Freeman,  and  E.  W.  Wood- 
son. In  the  course  of  the  subsequent  year  he  was  employed  as  a 
missionary,  in  which  service  he  remained  until  October  last.  The 
Board  had  no  laborer  that  was  more  persevering  and  untiring  in 
his  efforts  than  he. 

He  died  of  bilious  pleurisy,  on  Tuesday,  the  tenth  instant,  after 
a  short  illness  of  eight  days.  Previous  to  his  death  he  spoke  of 
his  departure  with  calmness  and  resignation.    He  said  he  did  not 

VOL.  I. — 2  H 


514  JOHN  A.  DAVIDSON. 

fear  to  die.     On  one  occasion,  after  prayer,  he  repeated  the  fol* 
lowing  appropriate  lines : 

"  My  suffering  time  ■will  soon  be  o'er, 
Then  I  shall  weep  and  sigh  no  more ; 
My  ransomed  soul  shall  soar  away 
To  sing  God's  praise  in  endless  day." 

His  latest  breath  was  spent  in  exhortation  to  those  that  sur- 
rounded his  dying  pillow.  As  the  stars  of  night  melt  away  in 
the  light  of  the  rising  sun,  so  do  the  spirits  of  the  just  disappear 
— ^but  they  disappear  that  they  may  be  drawn  nearer  to  the  sun 
of  righteousness. 

Elder  Spotts,  in  his  manner  of  preaching,  inclined  to  be  warm 
and  animated  rather  than  critical.  He  was  possessed  of  much 
zeal,  and,  above  all,  of  ardent  piety  —  a  qualification  without 
which  no  minister  of  the  gospel  can  gain  any  great  success. 
Whatever  might  have  been  his  errors,  we  feel  convinced  that  they 
*nust  have  been  errors  of  the  head,  and  not  of  the  heart.  His 
great  desire  for  the  welfare  of  those  among  whom  he  ministered 
induced  him  to  exercise  self-denial  and  preach  the  gospel  under 
most  trying  circumstances.  But  his  labors  are  over.  That  voice, 
which  to  so  many  has  spoken  the  truths  of  redeeming  love,  we 
firmly  believe  is  still  employed  on  the  same  theme,  but  in  more 
glorious  circumstances. 


JOHN  A.  DAVIDSON. 


This  servant  of  Christ,  the  son  of  Elder  Samuel  Davidson,  was 
a  native  of  Campbell  County,  Virginia.  He  is  said  to  have  pos- 
sessed a  peculiarly  amiable  disposition.  But  this,  he  was  enabled 
to  perceive,  was  not  sufficient  to  entitle  him  to  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  In  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age  he  was  brought  under 
the  renovating  influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  and  felt,  in  its 
energy,  the  whole  force  of  the  language  of  the  Saviour,  "Ye  must 
be  born  again."  He  now  saw  the  perishing  nature  of  all  earthly 
enjoyments,  and  that  he  could  not  be  happy  but  in  the  favor  of 


JOHN  A.  DAVIDSON.  515 

God.  He  sougKt  the  salvation  of  his  soul,  and  soon  was  enabled 
to  testify  that  Jesus  Christ  hath  power  on  earth  to  forgive  sins. 
He  attached  himself  to  the  Baptist  church,  and,  from  that  time 
to  the  hour  of  his  dissolution,  he  invariably  sustained  the  character 
of  a  decided  and  uniform  Christian. 

Soon  after  his  conversion  he  became  impressed  with  the  con- 
viction that  it  was  his  duty  to  call  sinners  to  repentance  by 
preaching  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to  a  lost  and  ruined 
world.  He  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  yielded  to  the 
heavenly  mandate;  and  many  a  weeping  penitent  was  by  him 
pointed  to  the  "  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the 
world."  Some  of  these  will  gratefully  remember  his  ardent 
prayers  for  their  conversion,  long  after  nature  has  covered  his 
grave  with  "its  mantle  of  green."  The  silent  bosom  of  earth  has 
received  his  dust ;  his  voice  is  hushed  in  death ;  but  with  him 
death  and  the  grave  were  despoiled  of  their  terror. 

In  his  humble,  meek,  and  holy  life  he  exhibited  "lucid  proof" 
of  the  divinity  of  the  gospel  which  he  preached.  Retiring  and 
unobtrusive  in  his  manners,  he  lived  without  reproach,  possessing 
a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God  and  man.  To  all  who 
saw  him  during  his  illness  he  gave  the  most  indubitable  evidence 
of  a  confidence  firm  and  full  of  immortality.  His  afl&iction  was 
of  five  or  six  weeks'  continuance,  and  he  bore  it  with  patience 
and  resignation.  He  had  frequently  been  delirious  until  the 
morning  of  his  dissolution,  at  which  time  he  was  perfectly  in  his 
senses  and  well  aware  that  the  cold  hand  of  death  was  upon  him. 
He  met  the  grim  monster  without  dismay,  and  was  enabled  to 
say,  "I  am  perfectly  happy  and  resigned,"  and  then  shouted, 
"Glory  to  God,  hallelujah!"  And  continued,  "Come,  Jesus! 
come  quickly  I  0  Jesus,  let  me  go  !  Why  cannot  I  go  now  ? 
Oh  let  me  go  !"  He  repeated,  with  peculiar  emphasis,  the  fol- 
lowing verse : — 

"  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are ; 
While  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head. 
And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." 

He  feelingly  exhorted  those  around  him  to  seek  the  salvation 
of  their  souls  and  to  meet  him  in  heaven.    Just  before  he  expired 


516  JOHN  A.  DAVIDSON. 

he  applied  to  his  own  case  the  words  of  the  Apostle:  "I  have 
fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the 
faith.  Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness, which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shall  give  me  at  that 
day."  His  declining  sun  set  without  a  cloud.  The  weary  wheels 
of  life  gently  ceased  to  move  ;  his  exit  was  so  easy  that  it  was 
not  exactly  known  when  the  spirit  took  its  flight. 


END   OF   FIRST   SERIES. 


vA^ 


